The golden ass : being the metamorphoses of Lucius Apuleius

THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY

EDITED BY
E. CAPPS, PH.D., LL.D. T. E. PAGE, Lirr.D. W. H. D. ROUSE, Lirr.D.

APULEIUS
THE GOLDEN ASS

BEING THE METAMORPHOSES OF
LUCIUS APULEIUS

APULEIUS

[j J.BERNOULLI Komischf Ikonognpt,* I^8•fJ

APULEIUS

THE GOLDEN ASS

BEING THE METAMORPHOSES OF
LUCIUS APULEIUS

WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY

W. ADLINGTON

(1566)
REVISED BY

S. GASELEE

FELLOW AND LIBRARIAN OF MAGDALENE
COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

LONDON : WILLIAM HEINEMANN
NEW YORK : G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS

MCMXXII

First printed 1915.
Reprinted 1019, 1022.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE GOLDEN ASS OF APULEIUS :
TO THE READER
LIFE OF LUCIUS APULEIUS
PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR TO HIS SON
TEXT AND TRANSLATION

INDEX

Stack
Annex

PAGE
V

xi

xv

xix

xxiii

1

597

INTRODUCTION

THE African Apuleius is one of the most curious
figures of Roman literature. We know something
of his life from his Apologia, and it is quite possible
that at the beginning and at the end of the Meta-
morphoses the description of Lucius, the hero of the
story, may contain a few autobiographical details. He
was born of good family at Madaura, a town on the
confines of Numidia and Gaetulia, about the end of the
first quarter of the second century A.D., and while still
quite a young man set out on a journey to Alexandria.
On the way he fell ill at Oea (supposed to be the
modern Tripoli), and was nursed by a rich widow
named Aemilia Pudentilla, who was rather older
than himself. He married her, and in vexation at
the unequal match her relations brought an action
against him charging him with having won her love by
means of magic. The Apologia referred to above is
his speech for the defence, which was doubtless suc-
cessful ; and he afterwards settled at Carthage,
whence he journeyed through various African towns
giving philosophical lectures and living the life of
one of the regular Sophists of the Empire, from
whom he only differed in that he wrote and lectured
in Latin instead of in Greek. The date of his death
is unknown.

The interests of Apuleius were before all centred
in religion, philosophy, and magic. He seems to

INTRODUCTION

have known and disliked the Christianity which was
rapidly spreading in his time, and to have wished to
commend to the world a form of Platonism which
included an elaborate system of angels and demons ;
and to have been strongly in favour of the Eastern
systems of initiation which had by his time become
exceedingly popular in the Roman Empire under the
forms of the worship of Isis and Mithras. Besides
the Metamorphoses contained in the present volume,
and the Apologia, we possess from his pen the Florida,
a collection of extracts — " purple patches " — from his
lectures and speeches, on all conceivable subjects : a
dialogue on the god (the Sai'pav) of Socrates, and a
treatise on Plato and his doctrines. There is also
extant a free version of the Aristotelian vtpl Koa-pov
bearing Apuleius' name, but its ascription to him
appears to be doubtful.

In the Metamorphoses (or Golden Ass, as it is often
called) the author's religious and philosophical views
take a less important place than in most of his
other works ; and indeed the last book, which
contains an elaborate account of the hero's initiation
into various mysteries, is of less value than the rest
of the work except to professed students of the
various Oriental religions which had to contend
with the rising Christianity of the second century.
The references to magic, which occur throughout,
are of greater interest, and the story of the trans-
formation of the hero into an ass, which is the main
thread of the plot, so deeply impressed some of
his contemporaries and successors that we find St.
Augustine l writing : " Yet had he his humane reason
still, as Apuleius had in his asse-ship, as himself
writeth in his booke of the golden asse ; bee it a lie

1 Of the Citie of God, xvm. 18 (17). Tr. by J. H[ealey].
vi

INTRODUCTION

or a truth that hee writeth (avi indicavit a
The plot, however, was not his own, but taken from
a still extant Greek work, AOVK.IOS fj ovos, which was
formerly ascribed to Lucian, though it is almost
certainly not his. It was very greatly improved by
Apuleius, who cut down one or two of the scenes of
the original and then greatly enlarged it with an
abundance of excellent stories of love, sorcery, jests,
and robbers ; and, in particular, inserted in the
middle of his work the long and beautiful allegory
of Cupid and Psyche.

It seems probable that many of these stories
belonged to the various collections of facetiae which
were common in the later Greek and Roman litera-
ture, though now unfortunately almost completely
lost. The most famous collection was known as
the Milesian Tales, originally collected by one Aris-
tides, and translated into Latin by the historian
Sisenna in late republican times : it is likely that,
besides those contained in the Metamorphoses, we
have specimens of a couple in the earlier novel
of Petronius. These were almost universally, it
must be confessed, of more than doubtful morality ;
but as told by Apuleius in his rollicking fashion
they give the reader little more than an impression
of fun and high spirits, and the general effect may
perhaps be compared with that of Boccaccio's
Decameron. In that work, indeed, at least two of
Apuleius' stories appear in an Italian surrounding,
and the whole is probably not very much unlike what
a collection of the Milesian stories must have been,
except that Boccaccio's milieu is more romantic, and
there would have been in the collection of Aristides
a greater number of the shorter and more disgraceful
kind of anecdote found in Poggio's Facetiae.

INTRODUCTION

Apuleius is by no means an easy author, delightful
as he is, to read in the original Latin. Latin was not
his native or natural language, and when he mastered
it he worked out for himself a most extraordinary
style, which seems to contain the genius of some quite
other tongue clothed in a Latin dress. He would
make use of rare and outlandish words, as well as
reviving others which had dropped out of the ordi-
nary language since pre-classical times, and combined
the whole into a curious mosaic, not at all unsuitable,
indeed, to the weird and jolly stories that he had to
tell, but disconcerting to those accustomed to the
sobriety and regularity of classical Latin. We are
fortunate indeed in possessing an Elizabethan trans-
lation of the Golden Ass, for the language of no
other age of our literature could make any attempt
to represent the exuberance of the original ; and
though the style of Adlington is far more restrained
than that of his model, some of Apuleius' peculiarities
show through it sufficiently to give the English reader
at least an idea of the language in which the novel
was written.

Of William Adlington we know nothing except
that he dedicated his translation to the Earl of Sussex,
writing from University College, Oxford, September
18, 1566; and that he was possibly the author of
a little verse tract, A Speciall Remedie against the
furious force of Lawlesse Love, published thirteen
years later. His translation must have been popular,
for it was reprinted three times in the next thirty
years, and once again forty years later still ; and the
great rarity of all these editions is further evidence
that they were appreciated and constantly read.1

1 For an elaborate and clear-sighted criticism of the merits
and failures of Adlington's translation the reader should

INTRODUCTION

This is the translation which in the present volume
is printed opposite to the Latin text. It is, however,
by no means as Adlington wrote it. I have not only
modernized the spelling and completely rearranged
the punctuation — for Adlington's system was indeed
" very obscure and dark, and thereby consequently
loathsome to the reader " — but I have altered it to
bring it into greater harmony with the Latin accord-
ing to modern ideas of translation. I may frankly
state that I have done so not without some very
considerable degree of repugnance, for meddling
with the style of such a masterpiece of English must
needs impair the balance of the sentences, and intro-
duce to some extent an incongruous element; but
a greater degree of accuracy than Adlington ever
attained is necessary to the plan of the present
series. I have attempted, not without considerable
labour, to make the alterations as few and as slight
as possible ; and the result is, I hope, a rendering
which, while not by any means a word-for-word
representation of the original, is yet sufficiently
accurate, without being literal, for all ordinary pur-
poses, and at the same time preserves the charm of
the sixteenth-century English version.

The Latin text here printed is somewhat eclectic.
It is founded to a considerable extent, as all future
texts of Apuleius must be, on the work of Helm,
his latest editor in the Teubner series. But it does not
by any means invariably follow him, and I have used
my own judgement freely in selecting variant readings

consult Mr. Charles Whibley's Introduction to the Tudor
Translation reprint (see Select Bibliography). Mr. Whibley has
proved that he depended to some extent (though by no means
wholly) on a French translation, and has even, with great
ingenuity, tracked down the particular rendering he employed.

ix

INTRODUCTION

and admitting conjectures ; I have called attention
in the footnotes to some of the more important
departures from the reading of the manuscripts.
Besides the text of Helm, I have made constant use
of the work of Beroaldus, whose commentary, after
the lapse of more than four hundred years, still seems
to me to be much the best in existence.

S. GASELEE

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

I. EDITIONS OF THE TEXT

14t>9. Editio Princeps, printed at Rome by Sweyn-
heym and Pannartz, without commentary.
Edited by Jo. Andreas de Buxis.

1 500. Bologna, Benedictus Hectoris Faelli, Apuleius
cum Beroaldi commentariis. Reprinted several
times — e.g. Venice, 1501, and Paris, 1512.

1521. Aldine edition, printed at Venice.

1 786. Leiden. Ruhnken's edition, embodying
Oudendorp's notes.

1825. London, Valpy. A large variorum edition
embodying the commentaries of all the most
important editors up to that date.

1842. Leipzig. Edited by G. F. Hildebrand.

1855. Leipzig. The story of Cupid and Psyche
only. Edited by O. Jahn.

1907. Leipzig, Teubner. Edited by R. Helm ;
second edition, 1913.

Of these Helm's is the most valuable for the
text; the Valpy edition and any containing
the commentary of Beroaldus, for explanatory
votes.

id

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

II. ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

1566. London, Henry Wykes. Adlington's trans-
lation, reprinted 1571, 1582, 1596, 1600 (?),
1639.

1822. London. The translation of Thomas Taylor,
the Platonist.

1866. London. A translation in Bonn's Classical
Library.

1893. London. Adlington's translation reprinted
in the series of Tudor Translations.

1904. London, George Bell. Adlington's transla-
tion reprinted.

1910. Oxford. Translation by H. E. Butler, now
Professor of Latin in the University of London.

1913. London. Adlington's translation reprinted,
with Introduction by Thomas Seccombe.

III. GENERAL

1898. London. Introduction by Charles Whibley
to the Tudor Translation mentioned above ;
reprinted in the same writer's Studies in Frank-
ness (Heinemann).

1900. London. Teuffel and Schwabe's History of
Roman Literature, translated by G. C. W. Warr.
vol. ii. pp. 236 ff*.

xii

The.xi.Bookesof

the Golden Affe,

Conteininge theMetamorphofie

of Lucius Apuleius, enterlaced

totti) fonurie pleafauntanD Delecta=

ble Cales, foritf) an ercellent

Jl^attation of tfje a^ari=

age of CupiDe anD

in tfje iuj.
, anD DJ.

Iranflated out of Latine into Englifhe
by William Adlington.

Imprinted at London in Fleetftreatet

at the figne of the Oliphante,

by Henry Wykes.

. 1566.

TO THE READER

WHEN that I had, gentle reader, slightly here and
there run over the pleasant and delectable jests of
Lucius Apuleius (a, man of ancient descent, and
endued with singular learning) written in such a
frank and flourishing style, as he seemed to have the
Muses always at will, to feed and maintain his pen :
and when again I perceived the matter to minister
such exceeding plenty of mirth, as never in my
judgement the like hath been shewed by any other, I
purposed according to my slender knowledge (though
it were rudely, and far disagreeing from the fine and
excellent doings nowadays) to translate the same
into our vulgar tongue, to the end that amongst so
many sage and serious works (as every man well nigh
endeavour daily to increase) there might be some
fresh and pleasant matter to recreate the minds of
the readers withal. Howbeit I was eftsoons driven
from my purpose by two causes : first, perceiving
that the author had written his work in so dark and
high a style, in so strange and absurd words, and in
such new invented phrases, as he seemed rather to
set it forth to shew his magnificence of prose, than
to participate his doings to other ; secondly, fearing
lest the translation of this present book (which
seemeth a mere jest and fable, and a work worthy to
be laughed at, by reason of the vanity of the author)
might be contemned and despised of all men, and

xv

TO THE READER

so, consequently, I to be had in derision to occupy
myself in such frivolous and trifling toys. But on
the other side, when I had throughly learned the
intent of the author and the purpose why he invented
so sportful a jest, I was verily persuaded that my
small travail should not only be accepted of many,
but the matter itself allowed and praised of all.
Wherefore I intend, God willing, as nigh as I can to
utter and open the meaning thereof to the simple
and ignorant, whereby they may not take the same
as a thing only to jest and laugh at (for the fables of
Aesop and the feigning of poets were never written
for that purpose) but by the pleasantness thereof be
rather induced to the knowledge of their present
estate, and thereby transform themselves into the
right and perfect shape of men. The argument of
the book is, how Lucius Apuleius, the author himself,
travelled into Thessaly (being a region in Greece
where all the women for the most be such wonderful
witches, that they can transform men into the figure
of brute beasts) where after he had continued a few
days, by the mighty force of a violent confection he
was changed into a miserable ass, and nothing might
reduce him to his wonted shape but the eating of a
rose, which, after the endurance of infinite sorrow,
at length he obtained by prayer. Verily under the
wrap of this transformation is taxed the life of
mortal men, when as we suffer our minds so to be
drowned in the sensual lusts of the flesh and the
beastly pleasure thereof (which aptly may be called
the violent confection of witches) that we lose
wholly the use of reason and virtue, which properly
should be in a man, and play the parts of brute
and savage beasts. By like occasion we read how
divers of the companions of Ulysses were turned
xvi

TO THE READER

by the marvellous power of Circe into swine. And
find we not in the Scripture that Nebuchadnezzar,
the ninth king of Babylon, by reason of his great
dominions and realms, fell into such exceeding pride
that he was suddenly transformed of almighty God
into an horrible monster, having the head of an ox,
the feet of a bear, and the tail of a lion, and did eat
hay as a beast ? But as Lucius Apuleius was changed
into his human shape bv a rose, the companions of
Ulysses by great intercession, and Nebuchadnezzar by
the continual prayers of Daniel, whereby they knew
themselves and lived after a good and virtuous life :
so can we never be restored to the right figure of
ourselves, except we taste and eat the sweet rose
of reason and virtue, which the rather by mediation of
prayer we may assuredly attain. Again, may not the
meaning of this work be altered and turned in this
sort? A man desirous to apply his mind to some
excellent art, or given to the study of any of the
sciences, at the first appeareth to himself an ass
without wit, without knowledge, and not much
unlike a brute beast, till such time as by much pain
and travail he hath achieved to the perfectiiess of
the same, and tasting the sweet flower and fruit of
his studies, doth think himself well brought to the
right and very shape of a man. Finally, the Meta-
morphose of Lucius Apuleius may be resembled to
youth without discretion, and his reduction to age
possessed with wisdom and virtue.

Now since this book of Lucius is a figure of man's
life, and touch eth the- nature and manners of mortal
men, egging them forward from their asinal form to
their human and perfect shape, beside the pleasant
and delectable jests therein contained, I trust if my
simple translation be nothing accepted, yet the matter

xvii

TO THE READER

itself shall be esteemed by such as not only delight
to please their fancies in reading the same, but also
take a pattern thereby to regenerate their minds
from brutish and beastly custom. Howbeit I have
not so exactly passed through the author, as to point
every sentence as it is in Latin, or so absolutely
translated every word as it lieth in the prose (for so
the French and Spanish translators have not done)
considering the same in our vulgar tongue would
have appeared very obscure and dark, and thereby
consequently loathsome to the reader, but nothing
erring from the true and natural meaning of the
author, have used more common and familiar words
(yet not so much as I might do) for the plainer setting
forth of the same. But howsoever it be, gentle reader,
I pray thee take it in good part, considering that for
thee I have taken this pain, to the intent that thou
mayest read the same with pleasure.

xviii

THE LIFE OF LUCIUS APULEIUS
BRIEFLY DESCRIBED

Lucius APULEIUS AFKICAN, an excellent follower of
Plato his sect, born in Madaura, a country sometime
inhabited by the Romans, and under the jurisdiction
of Syphax, situate and lying upon the borders of
Numidia and Gaetulia, whereby he calleth himself
half a Numidian and half a Gaetulian : and Sidonius
named him the Platonian Madaurence. His father,
called Theseus, had passed all offices of dignity in
his country with much honour : his mother, named
Salvia, was of such excellent virtue, that she passed
all the dames of her time, born of an ancient house,
and descended from the noble philosopher, Plutarch,
and Sextus his nephew : his wife called Pudentilla
was endowed with as much virtue and richness as
any woman might be. He himself was of an high
and comely stature, grey-eyed, his hair yellow, and
a beautiful personage ; he flourished in Carthage in
the time of Julianus Avitus and Claudius Maximus
proconsuls, where he spent his youth in learning the
liberal sciences, and much profited under his masters
there, whereby not without cause he gloriously
calleth himself the nourice of Carthage, [and] the
celestial Muse and venerable mistress of Africke.
Soon after, at Athens (where in times past the well
of all doctrine flourished) he tasted many of the cups

THE LIFE OF LUCIUS APULEIUS

of the Muses, he learned poetry, geometry, music,
logic, and the universal knowledge of philosophy,
and studied not in vain the nine Muses, that is to
say, the nine noble and royal disciplines. Imme-
diately after he went to Rome, and studied there the
Latin tongue with such labour and continual study
that he achieved to great eloquence, and was known
and approved to be excellently learned, whereby he
might worthily be called Polyhistor, that is to say,
one that knoweth much or many things.

And being thus no less endued with eloquence
than with singular learning, he wrote many books for
them that should come after : whereof part by negli-
gence of times be intercepted, and part now extant,
do sufficiently declare with how much wisdom and
doctrine he flourished, and with how much virtue he
excelled amongst the rude and barbarous people.
The like was Anacharsis amongst the most luskish
Scythes. But amongst the books of Lucius Apuleius,
which are perished and prevented, howbeit greatlv
desired of us nowadays, one was entituled Banquet-
ing Questions, another entreating of the nature of
fish, another of the generation of beasts, another
containing his Epigrams, and another called Herma-
goras : but such as are now extant are the four books
named Floridorum, wherein is contained a flourishing
style and a savoury kind of learning, which delighteth,
holdeth, and rejoiceth the reader marvellously ;
wherein you shall find a great variety of things, as
leaping one from another : one excellent and copious
oration, containing all the grace and virtue of the
art oratory, whereby he cleareth himself of the crime
of art magic, which was slanderously objected against
him by his envious adversaries, wherein is contained
such force of eloquence and doctrine as he seemeth to

xx

THE LIFE OF LUCIUS APULEIUS

pass and excel himself. There is another book of the
god or spirit of Socrates, whereof S. Augustine maketh
mention in his book of the definition of spirits and
description of men : two other books of the opinion
of Plato, wherein is briefly contained that which
before was largely expressed : one book of Cosmo-
graphy, comprising many things of Aristotle's
Meteors : the dialogue of Trismegistus translated by
him out of Greek into Latin, so fine, that it rather
seemeth with more eloquence turned into Latin, than
it was before written in Greek : but principally these
eleven books of the Golden Ass are enriched with
such pleasant matter, with such excellency and
variety of flourishing tales, that nothing may be
more sweet and delectable ; whereby worthily they
may be entituled, The Books of the Golden Ass,
for the passing style and matter therein. For what
can be more acceptable than this Ass of Gold in-
deed ? Howbeit there may be many which would
rather entitle it Metamorphosis, that is to say, a
transfiguration or transformation, by reason of the
argument and matter therein.

xxi

THE PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR
TO HIS SON FAUST1NUS

AND UNTO THE READERS OF THIS BOOK

That I to thee some joyous jests may show in gentle gloee,
And frankly feed thy bended ears with passing pleasant prose :
So that thou deign in seemly sort this wanton book to view,
That is set out and garnished fine, with written phrases new.
I will declare how one by hap his human figure lost,
And how in brutish formed shape his loathed life he tossed.
And how he was in course of time from such estate unfold,
Who eftsoons, turned to pristine shape, his lot unlucky told.

WHAT and who he was attend a while, and you shall
understand that it was even I, the writer of mine
own Metamorphose and strange alteration of figure.
Hymettus, Athens, Isthmia, Ephyrus, Taenaros, and
Sparta, being fat and fertile soils (as I pray you give
credit to the books of more everlasting fame) be
places where mine ancient progeny and lineage did
sometime flourish : there I say, in Athens, when I
was young, I went first to school. Soon after (as
a stranger) I arrived at Rome, whereas by great
industry, and without instruction of any school
master, I attained to the full perfection of the Latin
tongue : behold, I first crave and beg your pardon,
lest I should happen to displease or offend any of you
by the rude and rustic utterance of this strange and
foreign language. And verily this new alteration of

xxiii

PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR TO HIS SON

speech doth correspond to the enterprised matter
whereof I purpose to entreat ; I will set forth unto
you a pleasant Grecian jest. Whereunto, gentle
reader, if thou wilt give attendant ear, it will
minister unto thee such delectable matter as thou
shalt be well contented withal.
'

xxir

tHE GOLtJEN ASS, BOOK t

tell the matter in a more plain and simple fashion.'
Then answered he : ' Will you hear one or two or
more of the deeds which she hath done ? For
whereas she enforceth not only the inhabitants of
this country here, but also the Indians and Ethiopians
and even the Antipodeans to love her in most raging
sort, such are but trifles and chips of her occupation ;
but I pray you give ear, and I will declare of greater
matters, which she hath done openly and before the
face of all men.

" ' This woman had a certain lover whom, by the
utterance of one only word, she turned into a beaver
because he loved another woman beside her, and the
reason why she transformed him into such a beast, is
that it is his nature, when he perceives the hunters and
hounds to draw after him, to bite off his members
and lay them in the way, that the pursuers may be
at a stop when they find them, and to the intent
that so it might happen unto him (because he fancied
another woman) she turned him into that kind of
shape. Likewise she changed one of her neighbours,
being an old man and one that sold wine, in that he
was a rival of her occupation, into a frog, and now
the poor wretch swimming in one of his own pipes of
wine, and being well nigh drowned in the dregs,
doth cry and call with croakings continually for his
old guests and acquaintance that pass by. Likewise
she turned one of the advocates of the Court (because
he pleaded and spake against her) into a horned
ram, and now the poor ram doth act advocate.
Moreover she caused the wife of a certain lover that
she had, because she spake sharply and wittily
against her, should never be delivered of her child,
but should remain, her womb closed up, everlastingly
pregnant, and according to the computation of all
B 17

LUCIUS APULEIUS

damnavit et, ut cuncti numerant, iam octo annorum
onere misella ilia velut elephantum paritura dis-
10 tenditur. Quae cum subinde ac multis noceret,
publicitus indignatio percrebruit, statutumque ut in
earn die altera severissime saxorum iaculationibus
vindicaretur : quod consilium virtutibus cantionum
antevortit et, ut ilia Medea unius dieculae a Creone
impetratis induciis totam eius domum filiamque cum
ipso sene flammis coronalibus deusserat, sic haec
devotionibus sepulchralibus in scrobem procuratis,
ut raihi temulenta narravit proxime, cunctos in suis
sibi domibus tacita numinum violentia clausit, ut toto
biduo non claustra perfringi, non fores evelli, non
denique parietes ipsi quiverint perforari, quoad
mutua hortatione consone clamitarent, quam sanc-
tissime deierantes sese neque ei manus admolituros,
et si quis aliud cogitarit, salutare laturos subsidium :
et sic ilia propitiata totam civitatem absoluit. At
vero coetus illius auctorem nocte intempesta cum
tola domo, id est parietibus et ipso solo et omni
fundamento, ut erat, clausa ad centesimum lapidem
in aliam civitatem summo vertice montis exasperati
sitanij et ob id ad aquas sterilem, transtulit. Et
quoniam densa inhabitantium aedificia locum novo
hospiti non dabant, ante portam proiecta domo
18

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

men, it is eight years past since the poor woman
began first to swell, and now she is increased so big
that she seemeth as though she would bring forth
some great elephant : and when this was known
abroad and published throughout all the town, they
took indignation against her, and ordained that
the next day she should be most cruelly stoned to
death ; which purpose of theirs she prevented by the
virtue of her enchantments, and as Medea (who
obtained of King Creon but one day's respite before
her departure) did burn in the flames of the bride's
garland all his house, him and his daughter, so she,
by her conjurations and invocation of spirits, which
she uses over a certain trench, as she herself declared
unto me being drunken the next day following,
closed all the persons of the town so sure in their
houses, by the secret power of her gods, that for
the space of two days they could not come forth, nor
open their gates nor doors, nor even break down
their walls ; whereby they were enforced by mutual
consent to cry unto her and to bind themselves
straitly that they would never after molest or hurt
her, and moreover if any did offer her any injury
they would be ready to defend her ; whereupon
she, moved at their promises, released all the
town. But she conveyed the principal author of
this ordinance, about midnight, with all his house,
the walls, the ground and the foundation, into
another town distant from thence a hundred miles
situate and being on the top of a barren hill, and
by reason thereof destitute of water : and because
the edifices and houses were so close builded together
that it was not possible for the house to stand
there, she threw down the same before the gate
of the town.'

19

LUCIUS APULEIUS

1 1 discessit.' ' Mira ' inquam ' Nee minus saeva, mi
Socrates, memoras. Denique mihi quoque non par-
vam incussisti sollicitudinem, immo vero formidinein,
iniecto 11011 scrupulo sed lancea, ne quo numiuis
ministerio similiter usa sermones istos nostros anus
ilia cognoscat. Itaque maturius quieti nos reponamus
et somno levata lassitudine noctis antelucio aufugia-
mus istinc quam pote longissime.'

" Haec adhuc me suadente insolita vinolentia ac
diurna fatigatione pertentatus bonus Socrates iam
sopitus stertebat altius. Ego vero adducta fore
pessulisque firmatis, grabatulo etiam pone cardines
supposito et probe aggesto. super eum me recipio :
ac primum prae metu aliquantisper vigilo, dein circa
tertiam ferme vigiliam paululum conniveo. Commo-
dum quieveram, et repente impulsu niaiore quam
ut latrones crederes ianuae reserantur, immo vero
fractis et evolsis funditus cardinibus prosternuntur.
Grabatulus, alioquin breviculus et uno pede mutilus
ac putris, impetus tanti violentia prosternitur, me
quoque evolutum atque excussum humi recidens
inversum cooperit ac tegit.

12 "Tune ego seusi naturalitus quosdam affectus in
contrarium provenire : nam ut lacrimae saepicule de
gaudio prodeunt, ita et in illo nimio pavore risum
nequivi continere, de Aristomene testudo factus.
Ac dum infimum deiectus, obliquo aspectu, quid
20

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

"Then spake I and said : 'O my friend Socrates, you
have declared unto me many marvellous things and
no less cruel, and moreover stricken me also with no
small trouble of mind, yea rather with great prick of
fear, lest the same old woman, using the like practice,
should chance to hear all our communication :
wherefore let us now sleep, though it be early, and
after that we have done away our weariness with
rest let us rise betimes in the morning and ride from
hence before day as far as we may.'

" In speaking these words, it fortuned that Socrates
did fall asleep, and snored very soundly, by reason
of his new plenty of meat and wine and his long
travail. Then I closed and barred fast the doors of
the chamber, and put my bed and made it fast behind
the door and so laid me down to rest ; but at first I
could in no wise sleep for the great fear which was
in my heart, until it was about midnight, and then
I closed my eyes for a little: but alas, I had just
begun to sleep, when behold suddenly the chamber
doors brake open ; nay, the locks, bolts and posts fell
down with greater force than if thieves had been
presently come to have spoiled and robbed us. And
my bed whereon I lay, being a truckle-bed and
somewhat short, and one of the feet broken and
rotten, by violence was turned upside down, and I
likewise was overwhelmed and covered lying in the
same.

" Then perceived I in myself, that certain effects
of the mind by nature are turned contrary. For as
tears oftentimes are shed for joy, so I being in this
fearful perplexity could not forbear laughing, to see
how of Aristomenes I was made like unto a tortoise.
And while I lay on the ground covered in the happy
protection of my pallet, I peeped from under the bed

21

LUCIUS A PU LEI US

rei sit grabatuli sollertia munitus opperior, video
rnulieres duas altioris aetatis ; lucernam lucidam
gerebat una, spongiam et nudum gladium altera ;
hoc habitu Socratem bene quietum circumstetere.
Infit ilia cum gladio * Hie est, soror Panthia, carus
Endymion, hie Catamitus metis, qui diebus ac
noctibus illusit aetatulam meam : hie, qui meis
araoribus subterhabitis non solum me diffamat pro-
bris, verum etiam fugam instruit. At ego scilicet
Ulixi astu deserta vice Calypsonis aeternam soli-
tudinem flebo.' Et porrecta dextera meque Panthiae
suae demonstrate, 'At hie bonus' inquit ' Consiliator
Aristomenes, qui fugae huius auctor fuit, et nunc
morti proximus iam humi prostratus grabatulo suc-
cubans iacet, et haec omnia conspicit, impune se
laturum meas conturnelias putat. Faxo eum sero,
immo statim, immo vero iam nunc tit et praecedentis
dicacitatis et instantis curiositatis paeniteat.'
13 " Haec ego ut accepi, sudore frigido miser perfluo
tremore viscera quatior, ut grabatulus etiam suc-
cussu meo1 inquietus super dorsum meum palpitando
saltaret. At bona Panthia ' Quin igitur ' inquit
' Soror, hunc primum bacchatim discerpimus vel
membris eius destinatis virilia desecamus ? ' Ad
haec Meroe (sic enim reapse nomen eius tune fabulis
Socratis convenire sentiebam) ' Immo ' ait ' Supersit
hie saltern, qui miselli huius corpus parva contumulet
Immo,' et capite Socratis in alterum dimoto latus

i The MSS appear to have succuasus sum to. The correction
is due to Helm.

22

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

to see what would happen. And behold there entered
two old women, the one bearing a burning torch,
and the other a sponge and a naked sword. And so
in this habit they stood about Socrates being fast
asleep. Then she which bare the sword said unto
the other : ' Behold, sister Panthia, this is my dear
Endymion and my sweet Ganymede, which both day
and night hath abused my wanton youthfulness ;
this is he (who little regarding my love) doth not
only defame me with reproachful words, but also
intendeth to run away. And I shall be forsaken by
like craft as Ulysses did use, and shall continually
bewail my solitariness as Calypso'; which said she
pointed towards me, that lay under the bed, and
shewed me to Panthia. 'This is he,' quoth she,
' Which is his good counsellor, Aristomenes, and
persuadeth him to forsake me, and now (being at
the point of death) he lieth prostrate on the ground
covered with his bed, and hath seen all our doings,
and hopeth to escape scot-free from my hands for all
his insults ; but I will cause that he shall repent
himself too late, nay rather forthwith of his former
intemperate language and his present curiosity.'

"Which words when I heard, I fell into a cold
sweat, and my heart trembled with fear, in so much
that the bed over me did likewise rattle and shake
and dance with my trembling. Then spake Panthia
unto Meroe, and said : ' Sister, let us by and by tear
him in pieces, or else tie him by the members and
so cut them off.' Then Meroe (for thus I learned
that her name really was that which I had heard in
Socrates' tale) answered : ' Nay, rather let him live,
to bury the corpse of this poor wretch in some hole
of the earth,' and therewithal she turned the head
of Socrates on the other side, and thrust her sword
"*•» 23

LUCIUS APULEIUS

per iugulum sinistrum capulo terms gladium
totum ei demergit, et sanguinis eruptionem
utriculo admoto excipit diligenter, ut nulla stilla
compareret usquam : haec ego meis oculis aspexi. Nam
etiam, ne quid demutaret, credo, a victimae religione,
immissa dextera per vulnus illud ad viscera penitus,
cor miseri contubernalis mei Meroe bona scrutata
protulit, cum ille impetu teli praesecata gula vocem,
immo stridorem incertum per vulnus effunderet
et spiritum rebulliret. Quod vulnus qua maxime
patebat spongia offulciens Panthia 'Heus tu ' inquit
' Spongia, cave in mari nata per fluvium transeas.'
His editis abeunt : remoto grabatulo varicus super
faciem meara residentes vesicam exonerant, quoad
me urinae spurcissimae madore perluerent.
1 4 "Commodum limen evaserant, et fores ad pristinum
staturh integrae resurgunt ; cardines ad foramina
resident, postes ad repagula redeunt, ad claustra
pessuli recurrunt. At ego ut eram etiam mine luimi
proiectus, inanimis, nudus et frigidus et lotio per-
litus, quasi recens utero matris editus, immo vero
semimortuus, verum etiam ipse mihi supervivens et
postumus, vel certe destinatae iam cruci candidates,
' Quid ' inquani ' De me fiet, ubi iste iugulatus
mane paruerit ? Cui videbor verisimilia dicere pro-
ferens vera ? " Proclamares saltern suppetiatum, si
resistere vir tantus mulieri nequibas : sub oculis tuis
24

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

up to the hilt into the left part of his neck, and
received the blood that gushed out with a small
bladder, that no drop thereof fell beside ; this thing
I saw with mine own eyes ; and then Meroe, to the
intent (as I think) she might alter nothing that per-
taineth to sacrifice, which she accustomed to make,
thrust her hand down through that wound into the
entrails of his body, and searching about, at length
brought forth the heart of my miserable companion
Socrates, who (having his throat cut in such sort)
gave out a doleful cry by the wound, or rather a
gasping breath, and gave up the ghost. Then Panthia
stopped the wide wound of his throat with the sponge
and said : * O, sponge sprung and made of the sea,
beware that thou pass not over a running river.'
This being said, they moved and turned up my bed,
and then they strode over me and staled upon me
till I was wringing wet.

" When this was ended, they went their ways and
the doors closed fast, the hinges sank in their old
sockets, the bolts ran into the doorposts, the pins
fell into the bars again. But I that lay upon the
ground, like one without soul, naked and cold and
wringing wet with filth, like to one that were newly
born, or rather, one that were more than half dead,
yet reviving myself, and appointed as I thought for
the gallows, began to say : 'Alas, what shall become
of me to-morrow when my companion shall be found
murdered here in the chamber ? To whom shall I
seem to tell any similitude of truth, when as I shall
tell the truth indeed ? They will say : " If thou,
being so great a man, wert unable to resist the
violence of the woman, yet shouldst thou have cried
at least for help ; wilt thou suffer the man to be
slain before thy face and say nothing ? Or why did

LUCIUS APULEIUS

homo iugulatur, et siles ? Cur autem te simile latro-
cinium non peremit ? Cur saeva crudelitas vel propter
indicium sceleris arbitro pepercit ? Ergo quoniam
evasisti mortem, nunc illo redi." '

" Haec identidem mecum replicabam, et nox ibat in
diem : optimum itaque factu visum est anteluculo
furtim evadere et viam licet trepido vestigio capes-
sere. Sumo sarcinulam meam, subdita clavi pessulos
reduco: at illae probae et fideles ianuae, quae sua
sponte reseratae nocte fuerant, vix tandem et aeger-
rime tune clavis suae crebra immissione patefiunt.
15 Et ' Heus tu, ubi es?' inquam : ' Valvas stabuli
absolve, antelucio volo ire.' Janitor pone stabuli
ostium humi cubitans, etiam nunc semisomnus
' Quid ? Tu ' inquit ' Ignoras latronibus infestari
vias, qui hoc noctis iter incipis ? Nam etsi tu,
alicuius facinoris tibi conscius scilicet, mori cupis,
nos cucurbitae caput non habemus ut pro te moria-
mur.' ' Non longe ' inquam ' Lux abest : et prae-
terea quid viatori de summa pauperie latrones auferre
possunt ? An ignoras, inepte, nudum nee a decem
palaestritis despoliari posse ? ' Ad haec ille marci-
dus et semisopitus in alterum latus evolutus ' Unde
autem ' inquit ' Scio an convectore illo tuo, cum quo
sero devorteras, iugulato fugae mandes praesidium ? '
" Illud horae memini me terra dehiscente ima Tar-
tara inque his canem Cerberum prorsus esurientem
mei prospexisse : ac recordabar profecto bonam
Meroen non misericordia iugulp meo pepercisse sed
86

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

not they slay thee likewise ? Why did their cruelty
spare thee that stood by and saw them commit that
horrible fact ? Wherefore although thou hast escaped
their hands, yet thou shalt not escape ours." '

" While I pondered these things often with myself
the night passed on into day, so I thought best to
take my horse secretly before dawn and go fearfully
forward on my journey. Thus I took up my packet,
unlocked and unbarred the doors, but those good and
faithful doors which in the night did open of their
own accord could then scarcely be opened with their
keys after frequent trials, and when I was out I
cried : ' Ho, sirrah ostler, where art thou ? Open
the stable door, for I will ride away before dawn.'
The ostler lying behind the stable door upon a pallet
and half asleep, ' What ? ' quoth he, ' Do not you
know that the ways be very dangerous with robbers ?
What mean you to set forth at this time of night?
If you perhaps (guilty of some heinous crime) be
weary of your life, yet think you not that we are
such pumpkin-headed sots that we will die for you.'
Then said I : ' It is well nigh day, and moreover what
can thieves take from him that hath nothing ? Dost
not thou know (fool as thou art) that if thou be naked,
if ten trained wrestlers should assail thee, they could
not spoil or rob thee ? ' Whereunto the drowsy ostler
half asleep, and turning on the other side, answered :
' What know I whether you have murdered your
companion whom you brought in yesternight or no,
and now seek safety by escaping away ? '

"O Lord, at that time I remember that the «?arth
seemed to open, and that I saw at Hell gate the dog
Cerberus gaping to devour me, and then I verily
believed that Meroe did not spare my throat, moved
with pity, but rather cruelly pardoned me to bring

27

LUCIUS APULEIUS

16 saevitia cruci me reservasse. In cubiculum itaque
reversus de genere tumultuario mortis mecum deli-
berabam. Sed cum nullum aliud telum mortiferum
Fortuna quam solum mihigrabatulum subministraret,
'lam iam grabatule ' inquam 'Animo meo caris-
sime, qui mecum tot aerumnas exanclasti, conscius
et arbiter quae nocte gesta sunt, quern solum in meo
reatu testem innocentiae citare possum, tu mihi ad
inferos festinanti submiiiistra telum salutare ' ; et
cum dicto restim, qua erat intextus, aggredior ex-
pedire ac tigillo, quod fenestrae subditum altrinsecus
prominebat, iniecta atque obdita parte fuiiiculi et
altera firmiter in iiodum coacta, ascenso grabatulo
ad exitium sublimatus et immisso l capite laqueum
induo. Sed dum pede altera fulcimentum quo sus-
tinebar repello, ut ponderis deductu restis ad inglu-
viem astricta spiritus officia discluderet, repente
putris alioquin et vetus funis dirumpitur, atque ego
de alto recidens Socratem — nam iuxta me iacebat —

17 superruo cumque eo in terrain devolvor. Et ecce
in ipso momento ianitor introrumpit exerte clami-
tans 'Ubi es tu, qui alta nocte immodice festi-
nabas, et mine stertis involutus ? ' Ad haec nescio an
casu nostro an illius absono clamore experrectus
Socrates exsurgit prior, et ' Nee ' inquit ' Immerito
stabularios hos omnes hospites detestantur. Nam
iste curiosus dum importune irrumpit — credo studio
rapiendi aliquid — clamore vasto marcidum alioquin
me altissimo somno excussit.'

1 Oudendorp's correction for the MSS' misso.

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

me to the gallows. Wherefore, I returned to my
chamber and there devised with myself in what
violent sort I should finish my life. But when I saw
that fortune would minister unto me no other instru-
ment than my bed, I said : ' O bed, O bed, most
dear unto me at this present, which hast abode and
suffered with me so many miseries, judge and arbiter
of such things as were done here this night, whom
only I may call to witness for my innocence, render
(I say) unto me some wholesome weapon to end my
life that am most willing to die.' And therewithal
I pulled out a piece of the rope wherewith the bed
was corded, and tied one end thereof about a rafter
which stood forth beneath the window, and with the
other end I made a sliding knot and stood upon my
bed to cast myself from aloft into destruction, and so
put my neck into it. But when I pushed away with
my foot that which supported me beneath, so that
the noose when my weight came upon it might choke
the passage of my breath, behold suddenly the rope
being old and rotten burst in the middle, and I fell
down tumbling upon Socrates that lay nigh me, and
with him i-olled upon the floor. And even at that
very time the ostler came in crying with a loud
voice, and said : ' Where are you that made such
haste at deep night, and now lie wallowing and
snoring abed ? ' Whereupon (I know not whether
it was by our fall or by the harsh cry of the ostler)
Socrates (as waking out of a sleep) did rise up first
and said : ' It is not without cause that strangers
do speak evil of all such ostlers, for this caitiff' in
his coming in, and with his ci'ying out, I think
under colour to steal away something, hath waked
me, that was beside very weary, out of a sound
sleep.'

29

LUCIUS APULEIUS

" Emerge laetus atque alacer insperato gaudio per-
fusus, et ' Ecce, ianitor fidelissime, comes et pater
meus et frater meus, quern nocte ebrius occisum a
me calumniabaris,' et cum dicto Socraten deosculabar
amplexus : at ille odore alioquin spurcissimi humoris
percussus, quo me Lamiae illae infecerant, vehementer
aspernatur : ' Apage te ' inquit ' Fetorem extremae
latrinae,' et causas coepit huius odoris comiter in-
quirere. At ego miser afficto ex tempore absurdo
ioco in alium sermonem interitionem eius denuo
derivo et iniecta dextra ' Quin imus ' inquam ' Et
itineris matutini gratiam capimus.' Sumo sarcinu-
lam et pretio mansionis stabulario persoluto capessi
mus viam.

18 " Aliquantum processeramus et iam iubaris exortu
cuncta collustrantur, et ego curiose sedulo arbitrabar
iugulum comitis,qua parte gladium delapsum videram,
et mecum ' Vesane/ aio ' Qui poculis et vino sepul-
tus extrema somniasti. Ecce Socrates integer, sanus,
incolumis. Ubi vulnus ? Spongia ubi ? Ubi pos-
tremum cicatrix tarn alta, tarn recens ? ' et ad ilium
' Ne ' inquam ' Immerito medici fidi cibo et crapula
distentos saeva e. gi-avia somniare autumant : mini
denique quod poculis vesperi minus temperavi, nox
acerba diras et truces imagines obtulit, ut adhuc me
credam cruore humano aspersum atque impiatum.'
30

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

"Then I rose up joyful, as I hoped not to be, with
•A merry countenance, saying : ' Behold, good ostler,
my friend, my companion and my brother whom
thou being drunken in the night didst falsely affirm
to be murdered by me.' And therewithal I embraced
my friend Socrates and kissed him ; but he smelling
the stink wherewith those hags had embrued me,
thrust me away and said : ' Away with thee with
thy filthy odour,' and then he began gently to
enquire how that noisome scent happened unto me,
but I (with some light jest feigning and colouring
the matter for the time) did break off his talk into
another path, and take him by the hand and said :
< Why tarry we ? Why leave we the pleasure of this
fair morning ? Let us go.' And so I took up my
packet, and pa:d the charges of the house, and we
departed.

" We had not gone a mile out of the town but it
was broad day, and then I diligently looked upon
Socrates' throat to see if I could espy the place
where Meroe thrust in her sword, and I thought with
myself : ' What a madman am I, that (being overcome
with wine yesternight) have dreamed such terrible
things ! Behold, I see Socrates is sound, safe and in
health. Where is his wound ? Where is the sponge ?
Where is his great and new cut ? ' And then I spake
to him and said : ' Verily it is not without occasion
that physicians of experience do affirm, that such as
fill their gorges abundantly with meat and drink
shall dream of dire and horrible sights, for I myself
(not restraining mine appetite yesternight from the
pots of wine) did seem to see in this bitter night
strange and cruel visions, that even yet I think
myself sprinkled and wet with human blood ' ;
whereunto Socrates laughing, made answer and said :

31

LUCIUS APULEIUS

Ad haec ille subridens ' At tu ' inquit 'Non sanguine
sed lotio perfusus es, verum tamen et ipse per som-
nium iugulari visus sum mihi. Nam et iugulum istum
dolui et cor ipsum mihi avelli putavi et nunc etiam
spiritu deficior et genua quatior et gradu titubo et
aliquid cibatus refovendo spiritu desidero.' ' En '
inquam ' Paratum tibi adest ientaculum/ et cum
dicto manticam meam humero exuo, caseum cum
pane propere ei porrigo, et ' luxta platanum istam
residamus ' aio.

19 "Quo facto et ipse aliquki indidem sumo, eumque
avide esitantem aspicio aliquanto intentiore macie
atque pallore buxeo deficientem video. Sic denique
eum vitalis color turbaverat ut mihi prae metu,
nocturnas etiam Furias illas imaginanti, frustulum
panis quod primum sumpseram, quamvis admodum
modicum, niediis faucibus inhaereret, ac neque
deorsum demeare neque sursum remeare posset.
Nam et crebritas ipsa commeantium metum mihi
cumulabat : quis enim de duobus comitum alterum
sine alterius noxa peremptum crederet ? Verum ille,
ut satis detruncaverat cibum, sitire impatienter
coeperat ; nam et optimi casei bonam partem avide
devoraverat, et haud ita longe radices platani lenis
fluvius in speciem placidae paludis ignavus ibat
argento vel vitro aemulus in colorem. ' En ' inquam
' Explere latice fontis lacteo.' Assurgit ille et
oppertus paululum planiorem ripae marginem com-
plicitus in genua appronat se avidus affectans
32

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

' Nay, thou art not wet with the blood of men, but
thou art embrued with stinking filth : and verily I
myself dreamed this night that my throat was cut
and that I felt the pain of the wound, and that my
heart was pulled out of my belly, and the remem-
brance thereof makes me now to fear, and my knees
do tremble that I totter in my gait, and therefore I
would fain eat somewhat to strengthen and revive
my spirits.' Then said I : ' Behold, here is thy break-
fast,' and therewithal I opened my scrip that
hanged upon my shoulder, and gave him bread and
cheese, and ' Let us sit down,' quoth I, ' Under that
great plane-tree.'

" Now I also ate part of the same with him : and
while I beheld him eating greedily, I perceived that
he wore thin and meagre and pale as boxwood, and
that his lively colour faded away, as did mine also,
remembering those terrible furies of whom I lately
dreamed, in so much that the first morsel of bread
that I put in my mouth (which was but very small)
did so stick in my jaws that I could neither swallow
it down nor yet yield it up ; and moreover th,e
number of them that passed by increased my fear,
for who is he, that would believe that one of two
companions die in the high way without injury done
by the other? But when that Socrates had eaten
sufficiently he wore very thirsty, for indeed he had
well nigh devoured a whole good cheese, and behold
there was behind the roots of the plane-tree a
pleasant running water which went gently like to a
quiet pond, as clear as silver or crystal, and I said
unto him : ' Come hither, Socrates, to this water and
drink thy fill as it were milk.' And then he rose,
and waiting a little he found a flat space by the
river and kneeled down by the side of the bank in

c S3

LUCIUS APULEIUS

poculum : necdum satis extremis labiis summum aquae
rorem attigerat, et iugulo eius vulnus dehiscit in
profundum patorem, et ilia spongia de eo repente
devolvitur eamque parvus admodum comitatur cruor:
denique corpus exanimatum in flumen paene cernuat,
nisi ego altero eius pede retento vix et aegre ad
ripam superiorem attraxi, ubi defletum pro tempore
comitem misellum arenosa humo in amnis vicinia
sempiterna contexi. Ipse trepidus et eximie metuens
mihi per diversas et avias solitudines aufugi et quasi
conscius mihi caedis humanae relicta patria et Lare
ultroneum exilium amplexus nunc Aetoliam novo
contracto matrimonio colo."

20 Haec Aristomenes. At ille comes eius, qui statim
initio obstinata incredulitate sermonem eius respuebat,
" Nihil " inquit " Hac fabula fabulosius, nihil isto
mendacio absurdius/' et ad me conversus " Tu autem "
inquit " Vir, ut habitus et habitudo demonstrat,
ornatus, accredis x huic fabulae ? " "Ego vero"
inquam "Nihil impossibile arbitror, sed utcumque
fata decreverint, ita cuncta mortalibus provenire :
nam et mihi et tibi et cunctis homiriibus multa usu
venire mira et paene infecta, quae tamen ignaro
relata fidem perdant. Sed ego huic et credo Hercule
et gratas gratias memini, quod lepidae fabulae festivi-
tate nos avocavit ; asperam denique ac prolixam viam
sine labore ac taedio evasi. Quod beneficium etiam
ilium vectorem meum credo laetari : sine fatigatione

1 So Petschenig for the MSS' accedis.
34

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

his greedy desire to drink ; but he had scarce touched
the water with his lips when behold, the wound of
his throat opened wide, and the sponge suddenly fell
into the water and after issued out a little remnant
of blood, and his body (being then without life) had
fallen into the river, had not I caught him by the
leg, and so with great ado pulled him up. And after
that I had lamented a good space the death of my
wretched companion, I buried him in the sands to
dwell for ever there by the river. Which done,
trembling and in great fear I rode through many
outways and desert places, and as if culpable of
murder, I forsook my country, my wife and my
children, and came to Aetolia, an exile of my own
free will, where I married another wife."

This tale told Aristomenes, and his fellow which
before obstinately would give no credit unto him,
began to say : " Verily there was never so foolish a
tale, nor a more absurd lie told than this" ; and then
he spake unto me, saying : " Ho, sir, what you are I
know not, but your habit and countenance declareth
that you should be some honest gentleman, do you
believe his tale ? " " Yea, verily," quoth I, " Why
not ? I think nothing impossible ; for whatsoever the
fates have appointed to men, that I believe shall
happen. For many things chance unto me, and unto
you, and to divers others, wonderful and almost
unheard of, which being declared unto the ignorant
be accounted as lies.f But verily I give credit unto
his tale, and render entire thanks unto him in that
(by the pleasant relation of this pretty tale) he hath
distracted us so that I have quickly passed and
shortened this long and weariful journey, and I think
that my horse also was delighted with the same, and
he brought me to the gate of this city without any

35

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sui me usque ad istam civitatis portam non dorso
illius sed meis auribus provecto."

'21 Is finis nobis et sermonis et itineris communis
fuit : nam comites utrique ad villulam proximam
laevorsum abierunt. Ego vero quod primum in-
gressu stabulum conspicatus sum, accessi, et de
quadam anu caupona illico percontor " Estne "
inquam " Hypata haec ci vitas ? " Adnuit. " Nostine
Milonem quendam e primoribus ? " Arrisit et
"Vere" inquit "Primus istic perhibetur Milo, qui
extra pomerium et urbem totam colit." " Remote "
iuquam " loco, parens optima, die oro et cuiatis sit
et quibus deversetur aedibus ? " " Videsne " inquit
" Extremas fenestras, quae foris urbem prospiciunt et
altrinsecus fores pvoximum respicientes angiportum?
Inibi iste Milo deversatur ampliter nummatus et
longe opulentus, verum extremae avaritiae et sordis
infimae infamis homo, foenus denique copiosum sub
arrabone auri et argenti crebriter exercens, exiguo
Lare inclusus et aerugini semper intentus, cum
. uxorem etiam calamitatis suae comitem habeat.
Neque praeter unicam pascit ancillam et habitu
mendicantis semper incedit."

Ad haec ego risum subicio : " Benigne " inquam
" Et prospicue Demeas meus in me consuluit, qui
peregrinaturum tali viro conciliavit, in cuius hos-
22 pitio nee fumi nee nidoris nebulam vererer," et cum
dicto modico secus progressus ostium accedo et
ianuam firmiter oppessulatam pulsare vocaliter incipio.
36

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

pain at all, not so much by his back, as by mine own
ears."

Thus ended both our talk and our journey, for
the}' two turned on the left hand to the next village,
and I rode up to the first inn that I saw, and I espied
an old woman, of whom I enquired whether that city
was called Hypata or no, who answered : " Yes."
Then I demanded whether she knew one Milo, one
of the first men of the city, whereat she laughed,
and said : "Verily it is not without cause that Milo
is accounted first in the city, for he dwells altogether
without the boundary." To whom I said again : " I
pray thee, good mother, do not mock, but tell me
what manner of man he is, and where he dwelleth."
" Marry," quoth she, " Do not you see those bay
windows, which on the one side look out upon the
city, and the doors on the other side to the next
lane : there Milo dwells, very rich both in money
and substance, but by reason of his great avarice and
covetousness he is evil spoken of, and he is a man
that liveth all by usury, and lending his money upon
pledges of silver and gold. Moreover he dwelleth
in a small house and is ever counting his money, and
hath a wife that is a companion of his extreme
misery, neither keepeth he any more in his house
than one only maid, and he goes apparelled like unto
a beggar."

Which when I heard I laughed with myself and
thought : " In faith, my friend Demeas hath served
me well and with forethought, which hath sent me,
being a stranger, unto such a man, in whose house I
shall not be troubled either with smoke or with the
scent of meat," and therewithal I rode to the door,
which was fast barred, and knocked aloud and cried.
Then there came forth a maid which said : " Ho,

37

LUCIUS APULEIUS

Tandem adulescentula quaedam procedens " Heus
tu " inquit " Qui tarn fortiter fores verberasti, sub
qua specie mxituari cupis ? An tu solus ignoras
prater aurum argentumque nullum nos pignus
admittere?" " Meliora " iiiquam " Ominare, et
potius responde an intra aedes erum tuura offen-
derim." "Plane;" inquit " Sed quae causa quaes-
tionis huius ? " " Litteras ei a Corinthio Demea
scfiptas ad eum reddo." "Dum annuntio," inquit
" Hie ibidem me opperimino," et cum dicto rursum
foribus oppessulatis intro capessit. Modico deinde
regressa patefactis foribus " Rogat te " inquit. Intuli
me eumque accubantum exiguo admodum grabatulo
et commodum cenare incipientem invenio : assidebat
pedes uxor et mensa vacua posita, cuius monstratu
"En" inquit " Hospitium." "Bene"ego, et illico
ei litteras Demeae trado. Quibus propei-iter lectis
" Amo " inquit " Meum Demean, qui mihi tantum
23 conciliavit hospitem," et cum dicto iubet uxorem
decedere utque in eius locum assidam iubet, meque
etiam nunc verecundia cunctantem arrepta lacinia
detrahens " Asside " inquit " Istic : nam prae metu
latronum nulla sessibula ac ne sufficientem supel-
lectilem parare nobis licet."

Feci, et " Sic ego te " inquit "Etiam de ista corporis
speciosa habitudine deque hac virginali prorsus vere-
cundia generosa stirpe proditum et recte conicerem,
sed et meus Demeas eadem litteris pronuntiat. Ergo
brevitatem gurgustioli nostri ne spernas peto. Erit
38

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

sirrah, that knock so fast, in what kind of sort will
you borrow money ; know you not that we use to take
no pledge unless it be either gold or silver ? " To
whom I answered : " I pray thee, maid, speak more
gently, and tell me whether thy master be within or
no." "Yes," quoth she, "That he is; why do you
ask ? " " Marry," said I, " I am come from Corinth,
and have brought him letters from Demeas his
friend." Then said the maid : " I pray you tarry
here till I tell him so," and therewithal she closed the
doors and went in, and after a while she returned
again, and said : " My master desireth you to come
in " ; and so I did, where I found him sitting upon a
very little bed, just going to supper, and his wife sat
at his feet, but there was no meat upon the table ;
and, pointing at it, " Behold," said he, " Your enter-
tainment." " Well," quoth I, and straightway
delivered to him the letters which 1 brought from
Demeas : which when he had quickly read, he said :
" Verily, I thank my friend Demeas very much, in
that he hath sent me so worthy a guest as you are " :
and therewithal he commanded his wife to sit away,
and bade me sit in her place, and when I was about
refusing by reason of courtesy, he pulled me by the
garment and willed me to sit down. " For we have,"
quoth he, " No other stool here, nor other great store
of household stuff for fear of robbing."

Then I (according to his commandment) sat down :
and he fell into communication with me, and said :
" Verily I conjecture (and rightly) by the comely
feature of your body, and by the maidenly shame-
fastness of your face, that you are a gentleman born,
as my friend Demeas hath no less declared the same
in his letters : wherefore I pray you, take in good
part our poor lodgings, and behold, yonder chamber

39

LUCIUS APULEIUS

tibi adiacens et ecce illud cubiculum honestum re*
ceptaculum : fac libenter cleverseris in nostro. Nam
et maiorem domurn dignatione tua feceris et tibi
specimen gloriosum arrogaris, si contentus Lare
parvulo Thesei illius cognominis patris tui virtutes
aemulaveris, qui non est aspernatus Hecales anus
hospitium tenue " : et vocata anciliula, " Fotis," inquit
" Sarcinulas hospitis susceptas cum fide conde in illud
cubiculum, ac simul ex promptuario oleum unctui et
lintea tersui et cetera huic eidem usui prefer ociter
et hospitem meum produc ad proximas balneas : satis
24 arduo itinere atque prolixo fatigatus est." His ego
auditis mores atque parsimoniam ratiocinans Milonis,
volensque me artius ei conciliate, " Nihil " inquam
" Rerum istarum, quae itineris ubique nos comitantur,
indigemus. Sed et balneas facile percontHbimur.
Plane quod est mihi summe praecipuum, equo, qui
me strenue pervexit, faenum atque hordeum acceptis
istis nummulis tu, Fotis^ emito."

His actis et rebus meis in illo cubiculo conditis
pergens ipse ad balneas, ut prius aliquid nobis cibatui
prospicerem, forum cupidinis peto inque eo piscatum
opiparem expositum video et percontato pretio, quod
centum nummis indicaret, aspernatus viginti denariis
praestinavi. Inde me comniodum egredientem con-
tinuatur Pythias condiscipulus apud Athenas Atticas
meus, qui me post aliquam multum temporis avnanter
agnitum invadit, amplexusque ac comiter deosculatus
40

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

hard by is at your commandment, use it as your own ;
then you shall both magnify our house by your
deigning and shall gain to yourself good report, if,
being contented with a humble lodging, you shall
resemble and follow the virtuous qualities of your
good father's namesake Theseus, who disdained not
the slender and poor cottage of old Hecale." And
then he called his maid, which was named Fotis, and
said : "Carry this gentleman's packet into the cham-
ber and lay it up safely, and bring quickly from the
cupboard oil to anoint him, and a towel to rub him,
and other things necessary ; and then bring my guest
to the nearest baths, for I know he is very weary of
so long and difficult travel." These things when I
heard, I partly perceived the manners and parsimony
of Milo, and (endeavouring to bring myself further
in his favour) I said : " Sir, there is no need of any
of these things, for they are everywhere my com-
panions by the way ; and easily I shall enquire my
way unto the baths, but my chief care is that my
horse be well looked to, for he brought me hither
roundly, and therefore, I pray thee, Fotis, take this
money and buy some hay and oats for him."

When this was done and all my things brought
into the chamber, I walked towards the baths, but
first I went to the provision market to buy some
victuals for my supper, whereas I saw great plenty
of fish set out to be sold, and so I cheapened
part thereof, and that which they first held
at an hundred pieces, I bought at length for
twenty pence : which when I had done and was
departing away, Pythias, one of mine old companions
and fellow at Athens, fortuned to pass by, and
viewing me a good space, in the end brought me
kindly to his remembrance, and gently came and

41

LUCIUS APULEIUS

" Mi Luci," ait " Sat Pol diu est quod intervisimus te,
at Hercule exinde cum a Vestio l magistro digressi
sumus. Quae autem tibi causa peregrinationis huius ? "
" Crastino die scies : " inquam " Sed quid istud ? Voti
gaudeo : nam et lixas et virgas et habitum prorsus
magistratui congruentem in te video." " Annonam
curamus/' ait "Et aedilem gerimus, et si quid obsonare
cupis, utique commodabimus." Abnuebam, quippe
qui iam cenae affatim piscatum prospexeramus : sed
enim Pythias visa sportula, succussisque in aspectum
planiorem piscibus, "At has quisquilias quanti
parasti ? " " Vix " inquam "Piscatori extorsimus acci-
25 pere viginti denarios." Quo audito statim arrepta
dextera postliminio me in forum cupidinis reducens
" Et a quo " inquit " Istorum nugamenta haec com-
parasti ? " Demonstro seniculum : in angulo sedebat.
Quern confestim pro aedilitatis imperio voce asperrima
increpans " Iam iam " inquit " Nee amicis quidem nos-
tris vel omnino ullis hospitibus parcitis, quod tarn
magnis pretiis pisces frivolos indicatis et florem
Thessalicae regionis ad instar solitudinis et scopuli
edulium caritate deducitis ? Sed non impune : iam

1 The name, whatever it is, has been corrupted in the MSS
to Dstio. Other suggestions are Dositheo and Clytio.
42

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

kissed me, saying : " O my dear friend Lucius, it is a
great while past since we two saw each other, and
moreover, from the time that we departed from our
master Vestius I never heard any news of you ; I
pray you, Lucius, tell me the cause of your peregrina-
tion hither." Then I answered and said : " I will
make relation thereof unto you to-morrow : but what
is this ? Verily I think that you have obtained your
own desire, whereof I am right glad. For I see
these servitors that follow you, and these rods or
verges which they bear : and this habit which you
wear, like unto a magistrate." Then answered
Pythias: "I bear the office and rule of the clerk of
the market, and therefore if you will aught for your
supper, speak and I will purvey it for )7ou." Then I
thanked him heartily and said I had bought fish
sufficient already for my dinner, but Pythias, when
he espied my basket, took it and shook it, so that
the fish might come to view, and demanded of me
what I paid for all my sprats. " In faith," quoth I,
" I could scarce enforce the fishmonger to sell them
for twenty pence" ; which when he heard, he seized
my hand and brought me back again into the market,
and enquired of me of whom I had bought such
wretched stuff. I shewed him the old man which
sat in a corner, whom straightway (by reason of his
office) he did greatly blame, and said : " Is it thus
that you serve and handle strangers ? And especially
our friends ? Wherefore sell you this fish so dear
which is not worth a halfpenny ? Now perceive I
well that you are an occasion to make this place,
which is the flower of all Thessaly, to be forsaken of
all men and reduce it into an uninhabitable rock, by
reason of your excessive prices of victuals ; but assure
yourself that you shall not escape without punish-

43

LUCIUS APULEIUS

enim faxo scias quemadmodum sub meo magisterio
mali debent coerceri/' et profusa in medium sportula
iubet officialem suum insuper pisces inscendere ac
pedibus suis totos obterere. Qua contentus morum
severitudine meus Pythias, ac mihi ut abirem
suadens, " Sufficit mihi, o Luci," inquit " Seniculi
tanta haec contumelia." His actis consternatus ac
prorsus obstupidus ad balneas me refero, prudentis
condiscipuli valido consilio et nummis simul privatus
et cena, lautusque ad hospitium Milonis ac dehinc
cubiculum me reporto.

26 Et ecce Fotis ancilla " Rogat te " inquit "Hospes."
At ego iam inde Milonis abstinentiae cognitor ex-
cusavi comiter, quod viae vexationem non cibo sed
somno censerem diluendam. Isto accepto pergit
ipse et iniecta dextera clementer me trahere ado-
ritur : ac dum cunctor, dum modeste renitor, " Non
prius " inquit " Discedam quam me sequaris," et
dictum iureiurando secutus iam obstinationi suae
me ingratis oboedientem perducit ad ilium suum
grabatulum, et residenti "Quam salve agit" inquit
" Demeas noster ? Quid uxor ? Quid liberi ? Quid
vernaculi?" Narro singula. Percontatur accuratius
causas etiam peregrinationis meae ; quas ubi probe
protuli, iam et de patria nostra et eius primoribus

44

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

ment, and you shall know what mine office is, and
how I ought to punish such as do offend." Then he
took my basket and cast the fish on the ground, and
commanded one of his servants to tread them all
under his feet ; so doing was Pythias well pleased
with the severity he shewed in his office, and bade
me farewell, and said that he was content with the
shame and reproach done unto the old caitiff. So I
went away, all amazed and astonished, towards the
baths, considering with myself, and devising of the
strong hand of that so prudent companion of mine,
Pythias, whereby I had lost both my money and my
meat : and there, when 1 had washed and refreshed
my body, I returned again to Milo's house, and so
got into my chamber.

Then came Fotis immediately unto me, and said
that her master desired me to come to supper, but I
(not ignorant of Milo's abstinence) prayed courteously
that I might be pardoned, since I thought best to ease
my weary bones rather with sleep and quietness than
with meat. When Fotis had told this unto Milo, he
came himself and took me by the hand to draw me
gently with him, and while I did hold back and
modestly excuse me, " I will not," quoth he, " Depart
from this place until such time as you shall go with
me," and to confirm the same he bound his words
with an oath, whereby with insistence he enforced
me all against my will to follow him and he brought
me into his chamber, where he sat me down upon the
bed, and demanded of me how his friend Demeas did,
his wife, his children, and all his family ; and I made
him answer to every question ; and specially he
enquired the causes of my peregrination and travel ;
which when 1 had declared, he yet busily enquired of
the state of my country, and the chief citizens, and

45

LUCIUS APULEIUS

ac denique de ipso praeside scrupulosissime ex-
plorans, ubi me post itineris tarn saevi vexationem
sensit fabularum quoque serie fatigatum in verba
media somnolentum desinere ac nequicquam, de-
t'ectum iam, incerta verborum salebra balbutire,
tandem patitur cubitum concederem. Evasi ali-
quando rancidi senis loquax et famelicum convivium
somno, non cibo, sravatus, cenatus solis fabulis et in
cubiculum reversus optatae me quieti reddidi.

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK I

principally of our Lieutenant and Viceroy. And
when he perceived that I was not only wearied by
my hard travel but also with talk, and that I fell
asleep in the midst of my tale, and further that I
spake nothing directly or advisably, but babbled only
in imperfect words, he suffered me to depart to my
chamber. So escaped I at length from the prattling
and hungry supper of this rank old man, and being
heavy with sleep and not with meat (as having
supped only with talk) I returned unto my chamber
and there betook me to my quiet and long-desired
rest.

LIBER II

1 UT primum nocte discussa sol novus diem fecit,
et somno simul emersus et lectulo, anxius alioquin et
nimis cupidus cognoscendi quae rara miraque sunt,
reputansque me media Thessaliae loca tenere, quo
artis magicae nativa contamina totius orbis consono
ore celebrentur, fabulamque illam optimi comitis
Aristomenis de situ civitatis huius exortam, sus-
pensus alioquin et voto simul et studio, curiose
singula considerabam. Nee fuit in ilia civitate quod
aspiciens id esse erederem quod esset, sed omnia
prorsus ferali murmure in aliam effigiem translata,
ut et lapides quos offenderem de homine duratos, et
aves quas audirem indidem plumatas, et arbores quae
pomerium ambirent similiter foliatas, et fontanos
latices de corporibus humanis fluxos erederem. lam
statuas et imagines incessuras, pai'ietes locuturos,
boves et id genus pecua dicturas praesagium, de
ipso vero caelo et iubaris orbe subito venturum
oraculum.

48

BOOK II

As soon as night was past and the new day began to
spring, I fortuned to awake and rose out of my bed
as half amazed, and indeed very desirous to know
and see some marvellous and strange things, re-
membering with myself that I was in the midst part
of all Thessaly, where, by the common report of all
the world, is the birthplace of sorceries and enchant-
ments, and I oftentimes repeated with myself the
tale of my companion Aristomenes whereof the scene
was set in this city ; all agog moreover (being moved
both by desire and my own especial longing) I viewed
the whole situation thereof with care. Neither was
there anything which I saw there that I did believe
to be the same which it was indeed, but everything
seemed unto me to be transformed into other shapes
by the wicked power of enchantment, in so much that
I thought the stones against which I might stumble
were indurate and turned from men into that figure,
and that the birds which I heard chirping, and the
trees without the walls of the city, and the running
waters were changed from men into such feathers
and leaves and fountains. And further I thought
that the statues and images would by and by move,
and that the walls would talk, and the kine and
other brute beasts would speak and tell strange news,
and that immediately I should hear some oracle from
the heaven and from the ray of the sun.

D 4"

LUCIUS APULEJUS

Sic attonituSj immo vero cruciabili desiderio
stupidus, nullo quidem initio vel omnino vestigio
cupidinis meae reperto cuncta circumibam tamen,
dum luxum nepotalem simulantia1 ostiatim singula
pererro, repente me nescius forum cupidinis intuli ;
et ecce mulierem quampiam frequenti stipatam
famulitione ibidem gradientem accelerate vestigio
comprehendo : aurum in gemmis et in tunicis, ibi
inflexum, hie intextum, matronam profecto confite-
batur. Huius adhaerebat lateri senex iam gravis in
annis, qui. ut primum me conspexit, " Est " inquit
" Hercule Lucius/' et offert osculum et statim in-
certum quidnam in aurern mulieris obganniit.
" Quin " inquit " Etiam ipse parentem tuam accedis et
salutas ? " " Vereor" inquam " Ignotae mihi feminae,"
et statim rubore suffusus deiecto capite restiti. At
ilia obtutum in me conversa "En" inquit " Sanctis-
simae Salviae matris generosa probitas. Sed et cetera
corporis execrabiliter ad regulam sunt congruentia:
inenormis proceritas, succulenta gracilitas, rubor
temperatus, flavum et inafFectatum capillitium, oculi
caesii quidem sed vigiles et in aspectu micantes,
prorsus aquilinij os quoquoversum noridum^ speciosus
et immeditatus incessus."

Et adiecit "Ego te, O Luci, meis istis maiiibus
educavi ; quidni ? Parentis tuae non modo sanguinis^
verum alimoniarum etiam socia ; nam et familia
Plutarchi ambae prognatae sumus, et eandem nu-

l There is here a gap in the MSS which has been filled
in by a later hand. These three words are fairly near the
meaningless MsS' reading, and can be construed.

50

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

Thus being astonished and dismayed, nay dumb-
founded with the longing that did torment me, though
I found no beginning nor indeed any trace to satisfy
my curious desire, I went nevertheless from door to
door, and at length, like some luxurious person
strolling at my ease, I fortuned unawares to come
into the market-place, where I espied a certain
woman accompanied with a great many servants,
walking apace, towards whom I drew nigh and
viewed her precious stones set with gold and her
garments woven with the same in such sort that she
seemed to be some noble matron : and there was an
old man which followed her : who (as soon as he had
espied me) said : " Verily this is Lucius," and then
he came and embraced me, and by and by he went
unto his mistress, and whispered in her ear, and
came to me again, saying : " How is it, Lucius, that
you will not salute your dear cousin and friend ? "
To whom I answered : " Sir, I dare not be so bold
as to take acquaintance of an unknown woman."
Howbeit as half ashamed with blushes and hanging
head I drew back, she turned her gaze upon me and
said : " Behold how he resembleth the same noble
dignity as his modest mother Salvia doth; behold
his countenance and body agreeing thereto in each
point, behold his comely stature, his graceful slender-
ness, his delicate colour, his hair yellow and not too
foppishly dressed, his grey and quick eyes shining
like unto the eagle's, his blooming countenance in
all points, and his grave and comely gait." And
moreover she said : " O Lucius, I have nourished
thee with mine own proper hands, and why not ?
For I am not only of kindred unto thy mother by
blood, but also her foster-sister ; for we are both
descended of the line of Plutarch, sucked the same

51

tricem simul bibimus, et in nexu germanitatis una
coaluimus : nee aliud nos quam dignitas discernit,
quod ilia clarissimas, ego privatas nuptias fecerimus.
Ego sum Byrrhaena ilia, cuius forte saepicule nomen
inter tuos frequentatum educatores retines. Accede
itaque hospitium fiducia, immo vero iam tuum pro-
prium Larem." Ad haec ego, iam sermonis ipsius
mora rubore digesto, "Absit" inquam " Parens, ut
Milonem hospitem sine ulla querela deseram ; sed
plane quod officiis integris potest effici, curabo sedulo:
quoties itineris huius ratio nascetur, numquam erit ut
non apud te devertar."

Dum hunc et huiusmodi sermonem altercamur,
paucis admodum confectis passibus ad domum Byr-
4 rhaenae pervenimus. Atria longe pulcherrima co-
lumnis quadrifariam per singulos angulos stantibus
attolerabant statuas, palmaris deae facies, quae pinnis
explicitis sine gressu, pilae volubilis instabile ves-
tigium plantis roscidis delibantes,1 nee ut maneant
inhaerent, et iam volare creduntur. Ecce lapis
Parius in Dianam factus tenet libi-atam totius loci
medietatem, signum perfecte luculentum, veste re-
natum, procursu vegetum, introeuntibus obvium et
maiestate numinis venerabile : canes utrimquesecus
deae latera muniunt, qui canes et ipsi lapis erant ;
his oculi minantur, aures rigent, nares hiant, ora
saeviunt et sicunde de proximo latratus ingruerit,

i Colvin's emendation for the MSS' decitantea. Helm
suggests detinentes.

52

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

paps, and were brought up together as sisters in one
house ; and further there is no other difference
between us two, but that she is married more
honourably than I : I am the same Byrrhaena whom
you have perhaps often heard named as one of those
that reared you. Wherefore I pray you to come
with all confidence to my house— nay, use it as your
own." By whose words my blushes had time to
disperse, and I said : " God forbid, cousin, that I
should forsake mine host Milo without any just and
reasonable cause, but verily I will do as much as
I may without hurt to the duties of a guest, and
as often as I have occasion to pass by your house I
will come and see how you do."

While we went talking thus together, in a very
few steps we came to her house ; and behold the
court of the same was very beautiful set with pillars
quadrangularwise, on the top whereof were placed
carven statues and images of the goddess of Victory,
so lively and with such excellency portrayed and with
wings spread forth, their dewy feet just poised upon
motionless globes, that you would verily have thought
that they had flown, and were hovering with their
wings hither and thither. There also the image ol
Diana, wrought in white marble, stood in the midst
of all, holding all in balance, which was a marvellous
sight to see, for she seemed as though the wind did
blow up her garments, striding briskly forward, so
that she was now to encounter with them that came
into the house, a goddess very venerable and majestic
to see : on each side of her were dogs made also of
stone, that seemed to menace with their fiery eyes,
their pricked ears, their wide nostrils and their
grinning teeth, in such sort that if any dogs in
the neighbourhood had bayed and barked, you

53

LUCIUS APULEIUS

eum putabis de faucibus lapidis exire, et, in quo
summum specimen operae fabrilis egregius ille signi-
fex prodidit, sublatis canibus in pectus arduis pedes
imi resistunt, currunt priores. Pone tergum deae
saxum insurgit in speluncae modum, muscis et herbis
et foliis et virgulis et sicubi pampinis et arbusculis
alibi de lapide florentibus : splendet intus umbra
signi de nitore lapidis. Sub extrema saxi margine
poma et uvae faberrime politae dependent, quas ars
aemula naturae veritati similes explicuit ; putes ad
cibura inde quaedam, cum mustulentus autumnus
maturum colorem afflaverit, posse decerpi, et si
fontem, qui deae vestigio discurrens in leiiem vibra-
tur undam, pronus aspexeris, credes illos ut rure
pendentes racemos inter cetera veritatis nee agita-
tionis officio carere. Inter medias frondes lapidis
Actaeon curioso obtutu in deam sursum proiectus,
iam in cervum ferinus et in saxo simul et in fonte
loturam Dianam opperiens visitur.

5 Dum haec identidem rimabundus eximie delector,
" Tua sunt " ait Byrrhaena " Cuncta quae vides " ; et
cum dicto ceteros omnes sermone secreto decedere
praecipit. Quibus dispulsis omnibus, " Per hanc " in-
quit " Deam, O Luci carissime, ut anxie tibi metuo et
64

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

would have thought the sound came from their stony
throats. And moreover (which was a greater marvel
to behold) the excellent carver and deviser of this
work had fashioned the dogs to stand up fiercely
with their former feet ready to sun, and their hinder
feet set firmly on the ground. Behind the back of
the goddess was carved a stone rising in manner of
a cavern, environed with moss, herbs, leaves, sprigs,
green branches, and boughs of vines growing in and
about the same, and within the image of the statue
glistened and shone marvellously upon the stone ;
under the brim of the rock hung apples and grapes
polished finely, wherein art (envying nature) shewed
its great cunning : for they were so lively set out
that you would have thought that now autumn, the
season of wine, had breathed upon them the colour
of ripeness, and that they might have been pulled
and eaten ; and if, bending down, thou didst behold
the running water, which seemed to spring and leap
under the feet of the goddess, thou mightest mark the
grapes which hung down and seemed even to move
and stir like the very grapes of the vine. Moreover
amongst the branches of the stone appeared the
image of Acteon looking eagerly upon the goddess :
and both in the stream and in the stone he might be
seen already beginning to be turned into a hart as he
waited to spy Diana bathe.

And while I was greatly delighted with exploring
the view of these things, Byrrhaena spake to me
and said: "Cousin, all things here be at your
commandment." And therewithal she willed all
the residue to depart from our secrqt conference,
who being gone she said : " My most dear cousin
Lucius, I swear by this goddess Diana that I do
greatly fear for your safety, and am as careful for you

55

LUCIUS APULEIUS

ut pote pigiiori raeo longe provisum cupio ; cave tibi,
sed cave for liter, a mails artibus et facinorosis illece-
bris Pamphiles illius, quae cum Milone isto, quern
dicis hospitem, nupta est : maga primi nominis et
omnis carminis sepulchralis magistra creditur, quae
surculis et lapillis et id genus frivolis inhalatis omnem
istam lucem mundi sideralis imis Tartari et in vetus-
tum chaos submergere novit. Nam simul quemque
conspexerit speciosae formae iuvenem, venustate eius
sumitur et illico in eum et oculum et animum detor-
quet : serit blanditias, invadit spiritum, amoris pro-
fundi pedicis aeternis alligat. Tune minus morigeros
et viles fastidio in saxa et in pecua et quodvis
animal puncto reformat, alios vero prorsus extinguit.
Haec tibi trepido et cavenda censeo : nam et ilia
urit perpetuum et tu per aetatem et pulchritu-
dinem capax eius es." Haec mecum Byrrhaena satis
anxia.

6 At ego curiosus alioquin, ut primum artis magicae
semper optatum nomen audivi, tantum a cautela
Pamphiles afui ut etiam ultro gestirem tali magis-
terio me vel ampla cum mercede tradere et prorsus
in ipsum barathrum saltu concito praecipitare. Fes-
tinus denique et vecors animi, manu eius velut catena
quadam memet expedio et, " Salve " propere addito,
ad Milonis hospitium perniciter evolo ; ac dum amenti

56

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

long before, as if you were mine own natural child ;
beware 1 say, beware of the evil arts and wicked
allurements of that Pamphile that is the wife of
Milo, whom you call your host, for she is accounted
the most chief and principal magician and enchantress
of every necromantic spell : who, by breathing out
certain words and charms over boughs and stones
and other frivolous things, can throw down all the
light of the starry heavens into the deep bottom of
hell, and reduce them again to the old chaos. For
as soon as she espieth any comely young man, she is
forthwith stricken with his love, and presently setteth
her eye and whole affection on him : she soweth her
seed of flattery, she invadeth his spirit, and entangleth
him with continual snares of immeasurable love. And
then if any accord not to her filthy desire, so that
they seem loathsome in her eye, by and by in a
moment she either turneth them into stones, sheep,
or some other beast as herself pleaseth, and some
she presently slays and murders ; of whom I would
you should earnestly beware. For she burneth con-
tinually, and you, by reason of your tender age and
comely beauty, are capable of her fire and love."

Thus with great care Byrrhaena charged me, but I
nevertheless, that was curious and coveted after such
sorcery and witchcraft, as soon as I heard its name,
little esteemed to beware of Pamphile, but willingly
determined to bestow abundance of money in learning
of that teacher, and even to leap of my own accord
into that very pit whereof Byrrhaena had warned
me, and so I waxed mad and hasty, and wresting
myself out of her company, as out of links or chains, I
bade her farewell, and departed with all speed towards
the house of mine host Milo. Then as I hastened by
the way like one bereft of wit, I reasoned thus with

5?

LUCIUS APULEIUS

similis celero vestigium, " Age " inquam " Luci, evigila
et tecum esto : habes exoptatam occasionem et voto
diutino potiris. Fabulis miris x explere pectus, aufer
formidines pueriles, comminus cum re ipsa naviter
congredere, et a nexu quidem venerio hospitis tuae
tempera et probi Milonis genialem torum religiosus
suspice ; verum enimvero Fotis famula petatur enixe.
Nam et forma scitula et moribus ludicra et prorsus
argutula est. Vesperi quoque cum somno concederes,
et in cubiculum te deduxit comiter, et blande lectulo
collocavit, et satis amanter cooperuit, et osculato t.uo
capite quam invita discederet vultu prodidit, denique
saepe retrorsa respiciens substitit. Quod bonum felix
et faustum itaque, licet salutare non erit, Fotis ilia
temptetur."

Haec mecum ipse disputans fores Milonis accedo
et, quod aiunt, pedibus in sententiam meam vado.
Nee tamen domi Milonem vel uxorem eius offendo,
sed tantum caram meam Fotidem : suis parabat
viscum fartim concisum et pulpam frustatim con-
sectam et abacum2 pascuae iurulentae et quod naribus
iam inde ariolabar, tuccetum perquam sapidissimum.
Ipsa linea tunica mundule amicta et russea fasceola
praenitente altiuscule sub ipsas papillas succinctula,
illud cibarium vasculum floridis palmulis rotabat in
circulum et in orbis flexibus crebra succutiens et
simul membra sua leniter illubricans, lumbis sensim
vibrantibus, spinam mobilem quatiens placide de-
center undabat. Isto aspectu defixus obstupui et

1 MSS miseris. Milesiis and mysticis have both been pro-
posed.

2 The best MS seems to read arnlacu pascuae iurulenta,
from which no meaning can be extracted. The suggestion
given in the text is tolerably near and makes fair sense.

58

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

myself : " O Lucius, now take heed, be vigilant, have
a good care, for now thou hast time and place to
satisfy thy longing, and mayest gain the desire thou
hast so long nourished and fill thy heart with
marvels. Now shake off thy childishness and come
close to this matter like a man, but specially temper
thyself from the love of thine hostess, and abstain
from violation of the bed of worthy Milo; but
strongly attempt to win the maiden Fotis, for she is
beautiful, wanton and pleasant in talk. Nay yester-
eve when thou wentest to sleep, she brought
thee gently into thy chamber, and tenderly laid thee
down in thy bed, and lovingly covered thee, and
kissed thy head sweetly, and shewed in her counte-
nance how unwillingly she departed, and cast her eyes
oftentimes back and stood still ; then good speed to
thee ; then hast thou a good occasion ministered
unto thee, even if it betide thee ill, to prove and try
the mind of Fotis."

Thus while I reasoned with myself, I came to
Milo's door persevering still in my purpose, but I
found neither Milo nor his wife at home, but only
my dear and sweet love Fotis mincing pigs' meat as
if for stuffing, and slicing flesh, and making pottage
for her master and mistress, and I thought I smelled
even from thence the savour of some haggis very
sweet and dainty. She had about her middle a
white and clean apron, and she was girded high
about her body beneath her breasts with a girdle of
red shining silk, and she stirred the pot and turned
the meat with her fair and white hands, in such sort
and with such stirrings and turning the same that her
loins and hips did likewise gently move and shake,
which was in my mind a comely sight to see. These
things when I saw I was half amazed, and stood

59

LUCIUS APULEIJJS

mirabundus steti, steterunt et membra quae iacebant
ante. Et tandem ad illam " Quam pulchre quamque
festive " inquam " Fotis mea, ollulam istam cum nati-
bus intorques ! Quam mellitum pulmentum apparas !
Felix et certius beatus cui permiseris illuc digitum
intingere ! " Tune ilia lepida alioquin et dicacula
puella " Discede " inquit " Miselle, quam procul a
meo foculo discede. Nam si te vel modice meus
igniculus afflaverit, ureris intime nee ullus extinguet
ardorem tuum nisi ego, quae dulce condiens et ollam
et lectulum suave quatere novi."

Haec dicens in me respexit et risit. Nee tamen
ego prius inde discessi, quam diligenter omnem eius
explorassem habitudinem. Vel quid ego de ceteris aio?
Cum semper mihi unica cura fuerit caput capillumque
sedulo et publice prius intueri et domi postea perfrui,
sitque iudicii huius apud me certa et statuta ratio,
vel quod praecipua pars ista corporis in aperto et per-
spicuo posita prima nostris luminibus occurrit, et quod
in ceteris membris floridae vestis hilaris color, hoc in
capite nitor nativus operator : denique pleraeque in-
dolem gratiamque suam probaturae lacinias omnes
exuunt, amicula dimovent, nudam pulchritudinem
suam praebere se gestiunt, magis de cutis roseo
rubore quam de vestis aureo col ore placiturae. At
vero (quod nefas dicere, ne quid sit ullum huius rei
t&m dirum exemplum) si cuiuslibet eximiae pul-
cherrimaeque feminae caput capillo spoliaveris et
faciem nativa specie nudaveris, licet ilia caelo deiecta,
60

musing with myself, and my courage came then upori
me which before was scant. And I spoke unto Fotis at
last, and said : "O Fotis, how trimly, how merrily, with
shaking your hips you can stir the pot, and how
sweet do you make the pottage. O happy and thrice
happy is he to whom you give leave and license to
dip his finger therein." Then she, being likewise
witty and merrily disposed, gave answer : " Depart,
I say, wretch, from me ; depart from my fire, for if
the flame thereof do never so little blaze forth it will
burn thee inwardly, and none can extinguish the
heat thereof but I alone, who know well how with
daintiest seasoning to stir both board and bed."

When she had said these words she cast her eyes
upon me and laughed, but I did not depart from
thence until such time as I had viewed her in every
point : but why should I speak of other things ?
When as it hath always been my chief care both abroad
to mark and view the head and hair of every dame
and afterwards delight myself therewith privately at
home, and this is my firm and fixed judgement, for
that is the principal part of all the body, and is
first open to our eyes ; and whatsoever flourishing
and gorgeous apparel doth for the other parts of the
body, this doth the natural and comely beauty set
forth on the head. Moreover there be divers, that (to
the intent to shew their grace and loveliness) will
cast off their partlets and habiliments, and do more
delight to shew the fairness and ruddiness of their
skin in beauty unadorned than to deck themselves
up in raiment of gold. But, though it be a crime
unto me to say it, and I pray there may be no example
of so foul a thing, know ye that if you spoil and cut
off the hair of any woman and deprive her of this
natural adornment of her face, though she were never

61

LUCIUS APULEIUS

mari edita, fluctibus educata — licet, inquam, Venus
ipsa fuerit, licet omni Gratiarum choro stipata et toto
Cupidinum populo comitata et balteo suo cincta,
cinnama fragrans et balsama rorans, calva processerit,
placere non poterit nee Vulcano suo.

9 Quid cum capillis color gratus et nitor splendidus
illucet et contra solis aciem vegetus fulgurat vel
placidus renitet, aut in contrariam gratiam variat
aspectum, et nunc aurum coruscans in lenem mellis
deprimitur umbram, nunc corvina nigredine caeruleos
columbarum collis flosculos aemulatur, vel cum guttis
Arabicis obunctus et pectinis arguti dente tenui dis-
criminatus et pone versum coactus amatoris oculis oc-
currens ad instar speculi reddit imaginem gratiorem ?
Quid cum frequenti subole spissus cumulat verticem
vel prolixa serie porrectus dorsa permauat ? Tanta
denique est capillamenti dignitas, ut quamvis auro,
veste, gemmis, omnique cetero mundo exornata mulier
incedat, tamen, nisi capillum distinxerit, ornata non
possit audire.

Sed in mea Fotide non operosus sed inordinatus or-
natus addebat gratiam. Uberes enim crines leniter
r'emissos et cervice dependulos ac dein per colla. dis-
positos sensimque sinuato patagio residentes paulisper
ad finem conglobates in summum verticem nodus as-

10 trinxernt. Nee diutius quivi tantum eruciatum volup-

62

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

So excellent in beauty, though she were thrown down
from heaven, sprung of the seas, nourished of the
floods, though she were Venus herself, accompanied
with the Graces, waited upon by all the court of
Cupids, girded with her beautiful scarf of love, sweet
like cinnamon and bedewed with balsam ; yet if she
appeared bald she could in no wise please, no, not
her own Vulcan. O how well doth a fair colour
and a brilliant sheen agree with glittering hair ! Be-
hold it encountereth with the beams of the sun like
swift lightning, or doth softly reflect them back
again, or changeth clean contrary into another grace.
Sometimes the beauty of the hair, shining like gold,
resembles the colour of honey ; sometimes, when it
is raven black, the blue plume and azure feathers
about the necks of doves, especially when it is
anointed with the nard of Arabia, or trimly tuffed
out with the teeth of a fine comb ; and if it be tied
up in the nape of the neck, it seemeth to the lover
that beholdeth the same as a glass that yieldeth forth
a more pleasant and gracious comeliness. The same
is it if it should be gathered thick on the crown of
the head, or if it should hang down scattei'ing be-
hind on the shoulders of the woman. Finally, there
is such a dignity in the hair, that whatsoever she be,
though she never be so bravely attired with gold,
silks, precious stones, and other rich and gorgeous
ornaments, yet if her hair be not curiously set forth,
she cannot seem fair.

But in my Fotis not her studied care thereof but
rather its disorderliness did increase her beauty : her
rich tresses hung gently about her shoulders, and
were dispersed abroad upon every part of her neck
haii<;i7ig from the nape, and fell fairly down enwotind
in a kerchief, until at last they were trussed up upon

63

LUCIUS APULEIUS

tatis eximiae sustinere, sed pronus in earn, qua fine
summum cacumen ^apillus ascendit, mellitissimum
ilhid saviuni impress!. Turn ilia cervicem intorsit,
et ad me conversa limis et morsicantibus oculis
" Heus tu, scholastice/' ait " Dulce et amarum
gustulum carpis. Cave ne nimia mellis dulcedine
diutinam bilis amaritudinem contrahas." "Quid
istic " inquam " Est, mea festivitas, cum sim paratus
vel uno saviolo interim recreatus super istum ignem
porrectus assari ?" et cum dictoartius earn complexus
coepi saviari. lamque aemula libidine in amoris pari-
litatem congermanescenti mecum, iam patentis oris
inhalatu cinnameo et occursantis linguae illisu nec-
tareo prona cupidine adlibescenti, "Pereo," inquam
" Immo iam dudum perii, nisi tu propitiaris." Ad
haec ilia rursum me deosculato " Bono ammo esto/'
inquit "Nam ego tibi mutua voluntate mancipata
sum, nee voluptas nostra differetur ulterius, sed prima
face cubiculum tuum adero. Abi ergo ac te com-
para, tota enim nocte tecum fortiter et ex animo
11 proeliabor." His et talibus obgannitis sermonibus
inter nos discessum est.

Conimodum meridies accesserat, et mittit mihi
Byrrhaena xeniola, porcum opimum et quinque gal-
linulas et vini cadurn in aetate pretiosi. Tune ego
vocata Fotide, "Ecce" inquam " Veneris hortator et
armiger Liber advenit ultro. Vinum istud hodie
sorbamus omne, quod iiobis restinguat pudoris ig-
naviam et alacrem vigorem libidiiiis incutiat. Hac
64

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

her crown with a knot : then I, unable to sustain the
torture of the great desire that I was in, ran upon
her and kissed very sweetly the place where she had
thus laid her hair upon her crown, whereat she
turned her face and cast her sidelong and rolling
eyes upon me, saying : " O scholar, thou hast tasted
now both honey and gall ; take heed that the sweet-
ness of thy pleasure do not turn into the bitterness of
repentance." " Tush ! " quoth I : " My sweetheart,
I am contented for such another kiss to be broiled
here upon this fire " ; wherewithal I embraced her
more closely and began to kiss her. Then she
embraced and kissed me with like passion of love,
and moreover her breath smelled like cinnamon, and
the liquor of her tongue was like sweet nectar.
Wherewith when my mind was greatly delighted,
I said : " Behold, Fotis, I am yours and shall
presently die, nay, I am already dead, unless you
take pity upon me," which when I had said, she
eft M Kins kissed me and bade me be of good courage.
"And I will," quoth she, "Satisfy your whole desire,
and it shall be no longer delayed than until night,
when as (assure yourself) I will come to your
chamber ; wherefore go your ways and prepare
yourself, for I intend valiantly and courageously to
encounter with you this night." Thus when we had
lovingly talked and reasoned together, we departed
for that time. ..,

When noon was just now come Byrrhaena sent unto
me a present of a fat pig, five hens, and a flagon of old
wine and rare. Then I called Fotis and said : " Behold
how Bacchus, the aider and abettor of Venus, doth
offer himself of his own accord ; let us therefore drink
up this wine, that we may do utterly away with
the cowardice of shame and get us the courage of
E 65

LUCIUS APULEIUS

enim sitarchia navigium Veneris indiget sola, ut
in node pervigili et oleo lucerna et vino calix
abundet."

Diem ceterum lavacro ac dein cenae dedimus : nam
Miloiiis boni concinnaticiara mensulam rogatus accu-
bueram quam pote tutus ab uxoris eius aspectu,
Byrrhaenae monitorum memor, et perinde in eius
faciem oculos meos ac si in Avernum lacum forrni-
dans deieceram, sed assidue respiciens praeminis-
trantem Fotidem inibi recreabar animi ; cum ecce
iam vespera lucernam intuens Pamphile, " Quam
largus " inquit " Imber aderit crastino/' et per-
contanti marito qui comperisset istud, respondit sibi
lucernam praedicei-e. Quod dictum ipsius Milo
risu secutus, " Grandem " inquit " Istam lucernam
Sibyllam pascimus, quae cuncta caeli negotia et
1 2 solem ipsum de specula candelabri contuetur." Ad
haec ego subiciens, " Sunt " aio " Prima huiusce
divinationis experimenta, nee mirum licet modicum
istum igniculum et manibus humanis laboratum,
memorem tamen illius maioris et caelestis ignis
velut sui parentis, quid is esset editurus in aetheris
vertice divino praesagio et ipsum scire et nobis
enuntiare. Nam et Corinthi nunc apud nos passim
Chaldaeus quidam hospes miris totam civitatem
responsis turbulentat, et arcana fatorum stipibus
66

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

pleasure, for the voyage of Venus wanteth no other
provision than this, that the lamp may be all the
night replenished with oil, and the cups filled with
wine."

The residue of the day I passed away at the baths,
and then to supper, for 1 was bid by the worthy
Milo, and so I sat down at his little table, so neatly
furnished, out of Pamphile's sight as much as I could,
being mindful of the commandment of Byrrhaena,
and only sometimes I would cast mine eyes upon
her, as if I should look upon the lakes of hell ; but
then I (eftsoons turning my face behind me, and
beholding my Fotis ministering at the table) was
again refreshed and made merry. And behold,
when it was now evening and Pamphile did see the
lamp standing on the table, she said : " Verily we
shall have much rain to-morrow," which when her
husband did hear, he demanded of her, by what
reason she knew it. " Marry," quoth she, " The light
on the table doth shew the same " : then Milo
laughed and said : " Verily we nourish and bring up
a Sibyl prophesier in this lamp, which doth divine
from its socket of celestial things, and of the sun
itself, as from a watch-tower."

Then I mused in my mind and said unto Milo :
" Of truth now it is my first experience and proof of
divination, neither is it any marvel, for although this
light is but a small light and made by the hands of
man, yet hath it a remembrance of that great and
heavenly light as of its parent, and by its divine
spirit of prophecy doth both know and shew unto us,
what he will do in the skies above : for I knew
among us at Corinth a certain man of Assyria, who
by his answers set the whole city in a turmoil, and
for the gain of money would tell every man his

67

LUCIUS APULEIUS

emerendis edicit in vulgus : qui dies copulas nup-
tiarum affirmet, qui fundamenta moenium perpetuet,
qui negotiatori commodus, qui viatori Celebris, qui
navigiis opportunus ; mihi denique proventum huius
peregrinationis inquirenti multa respondit et oppido
mira et satis varia : nunc enim gloriam satis floridam,
nunc historiam magnam et incredundam fabulam et
libros me futurum."

13 Ad haec renidens Milo "Qua" inquit "Corporis
habitudine praeditus quove nomine nuncupatus hie
iste Chaldaeus est ? " " Procerus " inquam " Et
suffusculus, Diophanes nomine." " Ipse est/' ait
" Nee ullus alius : nam et hie apud nos multa multis
similiter effatus non parvas stipes, immo vero mer-
cedes opimas iam consecutus fortunam scaevam, an
saevam verius dixerim, miser incidit. Nam die
quadam cum frequentis populi circulo consaeptus
coronae circumstantium fata donaret, Cerdo quid am
nomine negotiator accessit eum diem commodum
peregrinationi cupiens : quern cum electum desti-
nasset ille, iam deposita crumena, iam profusis num-
mulis, iam dinumeratis centum denarium, quos
mercedem divinationis auferret, ecce quidam de
nobilibus adulescentulus a tergo arrepens eum lacinia
prehendit et conversum amplexus exosculatur artis-
sime. At ille ubi primum consaviatus eum iuxtim
se ut assidat effecit, et attonitus repentinae visionis
stupore et praesentis negotii quod gerebat oblitus,
68

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

fortune : to some he would tell the days they
should marry ; to others he would tell when they
should build, so that their edifices should continue ;
to others when they should best go about their affairs ;
to others when they should travel by land ; to others
when they should go by sea ; and to me (enquiring
of my journey hither) he declared many things
strange and variable. For sometimes he said that I
should win glory enough, sometimes that mine
should be a great history, sometimes an incredible
tale and the subject of books."

Whereat Milo laughed again, and enquired of me
of what stature this man of Assyria was, and what
he was named. " In faith," quoth I, " He is a tall man
and somewhat black, and he is called Diophanes."
Then said Milo : "The same is he and no other, who
likewise hath declared many things unto many of us,
whereby he got and obtained no small profit, indeed
much substance and treasure, but fell at length, poor
wretch, into the hands of unpropitious fate, or I
might say fate unfaithful. For being on a day
amongst a great assembly of people, to tell the by-
standers their fortune, a certain merchant called
Cerdo came unto him, and desired him to tell when
it should be best for him to take his voyage, the
which when he had done, Cerdo had already opened
his purse and already poured forth his money and
counted out a hundred pence to pay him for the
pains of his soothsaying ; whereupon came a certain
young nobleman from behind and took Diophanes
by the garment, and turned him about and embraced
and kissed him close, and Diophanes kissed him
again and desired him to sit down by him. And
being astonished with this sudden chance, he forgot
the present business that he was doing, and said :

69

LUCIUS APULEIUS

infit ad eum ' Quam olim equidem exoptatus nobis
advenis ? ' Respondit ad haec ille alius, ' Commodum
vespera oriente : sed vicissim tu quoque, frater, mihi
memora quernadmodum exinde ut de Euboea insula
festinus enavigasti, et mans et viae confeceris iter.'

14 Ad haec Diophanes ille Clialdaeus egregius, mente
viduus necdum snus, ' Hostes ' inquit ' Et oinnes
inimici nostri tarn diram immo vero Ulixeam pere-
grinationem incidant. Nam et navis ipsa qua
vehebamur, variis turbinibus procellarum quassata,
utroque regimine amisso, aegre ad ulterioris ripae
marginem detrusa praeceps demersa est, et nos
omnibus amissis vix enatavimus. Quodcunque vel
ignotorum miseratione vel amicorum benivolentia
contraximus, id omne latrocinalis invasit manus,
quorum audaciae repugnans etiam Arignotus unicus
frater meus sub istis oculis miser iugulatus est.'
Haec eo adhuc narrante maesto Cerdo ille negotiator
correptis nummulis suis, quos divinationis mercedi
destinaverat, protinus aufugit. r Ac dehinc tune
demum Diophanes expergitus sensit imprudentiae
suae labem, cum etiam nos omnes circumsecus
astantes in clarum cachinnum videret efFusos. Sed
tibi plane, Luci domine, soli omnium Chaldaeus ille
vera dixerit, sisque felix et iter dexterum porrigas."

15 Haec Milone diutine sermocinante tacitus in-
gemescebam, miiiique non mediocriter suscensebam
70

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

' O dear friend, you are heartily welcome ; I pray
you when arrived you, whom we have looked for so
long, into these parts ? ' Then answered he : ' Just
this last evening ; but, brother, I pray you tell me of
your sudden coming from the Isle of Euboea, and
how you sped by the way, both of sea and land ? '
Whereunto Diophanes, this notable Assyrian, not yet
come unto his mind but half amazed, gave answer
and said : ' I would to God that all our enemies and
evil-willers might fall into the like dangerous
peregrination, as troublesome as Ulysses' was, for
the ship which we were in (after that it was by the
waves of the sea and by the great tempest tossed
hither and thither, in great peril, and after that both
the rudders brake alike in pieces) was but just
brought to the further shore, but sunk utterly into
the water, and so we did swim and hardly escaped to
land with loss of all that we had : and after that,
whatsoever was given unto us in recompense of our
losses, either by the pity of strangers or by the
benevolence of our friends, was taken away from us
by a band of thieves, whose violence when mine only
brother Arignotus did essay to resist, he was cruelly
murdered by them before my face.' While he was
still sadly declaring these things, the merchant Cerdo
took up his money again, which he had told out to
pay for the telling of his fortune, and ran away : and
then Diophanes coming to himself perceived what he
had done, how his imprudence had ruined him, and
we all that stood by laughed greatly. But surely, I
pray that unto you, O Lucius, did Diophanes tell the
truth, if to you alone, and may you be happy, and
have a prosperous journey."

Thus Milo reasoned with me, but I groaned within
myself and was not a little sorry that I had by my

71

LUCIUS APULEIUS

quod ultro inducta serie inopportunarum fabularum
partem bonam vesperae eiusque gratissimum fructum
amitterem ; et tandem denique devorato pudore ad
Milonem aio " Ferat suam Diophanes ille fortunam et
spolia populorum rursum conferat mari pariter ac
terrae, mihi vero fatigationis hesternae etiamnunc
saucio da veniam raaturius concedam cubitum/' et
cum dicto facesscv, et cubiculum meum contendo^ atque
illic deprehendo epularum dispositiones satis con-
cinnas. Nam et pueris extra limen, credo ut arbitrio
nocturni gannitus ablegarentur, humi quam procul
distratum fuerat, et grabatulum meum astitit mensula
cenae totius honestas reliquias tolerans, et calices
boni, iam infuso latice semipleni, solam temperiem
sustinentes, et lagoena iuxta orincio caesim dehiscente
patescens facilis hauritu, prorsus gladiatoriae Veneris
antecenia.

16 Commodum cubueram, et ecce Fotis mea, iam
domina cubitum reddita, laeta proximat rosa serta et
rosa soluta in sinu tuberante : ac me pressim deoscu-
lato et corollis revincto ac flore persperso arripit
poculum ac desuper aqua calida iniecta porrigit
bibam, idque modico prius quam totum exsorberem
clementer invadit ac relictum pullulatim labellis
minuens meque respiciens sorbillat dulciter. Sequens
et tertium inter nos vicissim et frequens alternat
poculum, cum ego iam vino madens nee animo
72

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

own doing turned him into such a vein of talk so un-
seasonably, that I was like to lose a good part of the
night, and the sweet pleasure thereof, but at length
I boldly swallowed my shame and said unto Milo :
" Let Diophanes farewell with his evil fortune, and
disgorge again to sea and land that spoil that he
•wins from all nations, for I verily do yet feel the
weariness of my travel of yesterday ; wherefore I
pray you pardon me, and give me license, being very
tired, to depart early to bed," wherewithal I rose
up and went to my chamber, where I found all
manner of meats finely prepared, and the servants'
bed (so that they should not hear, methinks, our
tattling of the night) was removed far off without
the chamber door. By my bed a table was set, all
covered with no small store of such meats as were
left at supper, generous cups were filled half full
with liquor, leaving room only for enough water to
temper and delay the wine, the flagon stood ready
prepared, its neck opened with a wide and smooth
cut, that one might the easier di*aw from it, and
there did nothing lack which was necessary for the
preparation of Venus.

Now when I was just entered into the bed, behold
my Fotis (who had brought her mistress to sleep)
drew nigh, with bunches of rose garlands and rose
blooms in her apron, and she kissed me closely and
tied a garland about my head, and cast the residue
about me. Which when she had done, she took up
a cup of wine, and tempered it with hot water, and
proffered it me to drink, and before I had drunk up
all, she gently pulled it from my mouth, and sipping
it slowly and looking upon me the while, she drank
that which was left, and in this manner we emptied
the pot twice or thrice together. Thus when I had

73

LUCIUS APULEIUS

tantum verum etiam corpora ipso ad libidinem
inquies, alioquin et petulans et iam saucius paulisper
inguinum fine lacinia remota impatientiam Veneri
Fotidi meae monstrans, "Miserere," inquam '
subveni maturius : nam, ut vides, proelio, quod nobis
sine fetiali officio indixeras, iam proximante vehe-
menter intentus,ubi primam sagittam saevi Cupidinis
in ima praecordia mea delapsam excepi, arcum meum
et ipse vigorate tetendi l et oppido formido ne nervus
rigoris nimietate rumpatur. Sed ut mihi morem
pfenius gessevis, in effusum laxa crinem et^ capillo
iTfluente undanter ede complexus amabiles." Nee
mora, cum omnibus illis cibariis vasculis raptim remotis,
laciniis cunctis suis renudata, crinibus quam dissolutis
ad hilarem lasciviam in speciem Veneris quae mari-
nes fluctus subit pulchre reformata, paulisper etiam
glabellum feminal rosea palmula potius obumbrans
de industria quam tegens verecundia, " Proeliare,"
inquit " Et fortiter proeliare, nee enim tibi cedam
nee terga vortam. Comminus in aspectum, si vir
es, derige et grassare naviter et occide moriturus.
Hodierna pugna non habet missionem." Haec simul
dicens, inscenso grabatulo super me sessim residens
ac crebra subsiliens, lubricisque gestibus mobilem
spinam quatiens, pendulae Veneris fructu me satiavit,
usque dum lassis animis et marcidis artubus defatigati
simul ambo corruimus inter mutuos amplexus animas
anbelantes. His et huiusmodi colluctationibus ad
confinia lucis usque pervigiles egimus, poculis inter-
dum lassitudinem refoventes et libidinem incitantes
et voluptatem integrantes : ad cuius noctis exemplar
similes astruximus alias plusculas.

1 8 Forte quadam die de me magno ojsere Byrrhaena
contendit apud earn' cenulae ut interessem, et cum

1 So Bursian for the MSS' vigor attetendit.
74

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

well replenished myself with wine, and was now-
ready not only in mind but also in body, I shewed to
Fotis my great impatience and said : " O my sweet-
heart, take pity upon me and help me : for as you
see, I am prepared unto the battle now approaching
which yourself did appoint without the herald's aid,
for after that I felt the first arrow of cruel Cupid
within my breast I bent my bow very strong, and
now fear (because it is bended so hard) lest the
string should break : but that thou mayest the better
please me, unbrace thy hair and come and embrace
me lovingly " ; wherewithal she made no long delay,
but set aside all the meat and wine, and then un-
apparelled herself and unattired her hair, presenting
her amiable body unto me in manner of fair Venus,
when she goeth under the waves of the sea. " Now,"
quoth she, " Is come the hour of jousting, now is
come the time of war, wherefore shew thyself like
unto a man, for I will not retire, I will not fly the
field ; see then thou be valiant, see thou be coura-
geous, since there is no time appointed when our
skirmish shall cease." In saying these words she
came to me, and embraced me sweetly, and so we
passed all the night in pastime and pleasure, and
never slept till it was day ; but we would ever
refresh our weariness and provoke our pleasure by
drinking of wine. In which sort we pleasantly passed
many nights following.

It fortuned on a day that Byrrhaena desired me to
sup with her, and she would in no wise take any

75

LUCIUS APULEIUS

impendio excusarem, uegavit veniam. Ergo igitur
Fotis erat adeunda deque nutu eius consilium velut
auspicium petendum : quae quanquam invita quod a
se ungue latius digrederer, tamen comiter amatoriae
militiae brevem commeatum indulsit. Sed " Heus
tu " inquit " Cave regrediare cena maturius : nam
vesana factio nobilissimorum iuvenum pacem publi-
cam infestat : passim trucidatos per medias plateas
videbis iacere, nee praesidis auxilia longinqua levare
civitatem tanta clade possunt. Tibi vero fortunae
splendor insidias, contemptus etiam peregrinationis
poterit afferre." "Fac sine cura" inquam "Sis,
Fotis mea: nam praeter quod epulis alienis volup-
tates meas anteferrem, metum etiam istum tibi demam
maturata regressione. Nee tamen incomitatus ibo :
nam gladiolo soli to cinctus altrinsecus ipse salutis
meae praesidia gestabo." Sic paratus cenae me
committo.

19 Frequens ibi numerus epulonum et utpote apud
primatem feminam flos ipse civitatis. Mensae opi-
pare citro et ebore nitentes, lecti aureis vestibus
intecti, ampli calices variae quidem gratiae sed pre-
tiositatis unius. Hie vitrum fabre sigillatum, ibi
crystallum impunetum, argentum alibi clarum et
aurum fulgurans et succinum mire cavatum et lapides
ut bibas, et quicquid fieri non potest. ibi est. Diri-
bitores plusculi splendide amicti fercula copiosa
76

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

excuse. Whereupon I must go unto Fotis to ask
counsel of her as of some divine, who (although she
was unwilling that I should depart one foot from her
company) yet at length she gave me license to be
absent for a while from amorous debate, saying :
" Look you, beware that you tarry not long at supper
there, for there is a rabble of well-born youths that
disturbeth the public peace, and you may see many
murdered about in the streets, neither can the armies
of the governor, for that they are afar ofi, rid the city
of this great plague. And they will the sooner set
upon you, by reason of your high station and for
that they will disdain you being a foreigner." Then
I answered and said : " Have no care for me, Fotis,
for I esteem the pleasure which I have with thee
above the dainty meat that I eat abroad, and I will
take away that fear that you have by returning again
quickly. Nevertheless, I mind not to go without
company, for I have here my sword by my side,
whereby I hope to defend myself."

And so in this sort I went to supper, and behold
I found at Byrrhaena's house a great company of
strangers, the very flower of the citizens, for that she
was one of the chief and principal women of the city.
The tables (made of citron-wood and ivory) were
richly adorned, the couches spread with cloth of
gold, the cups were great and garnished preciously
in sundry fashion, but were of like estimation and
price : here stood a glass gorgeously wrought, there
stood another of crystal finely chased, there stood a
cup of glittering silver, and here stood another of
shining gold, and here was another of amber arti-
ficially carved, and precious stones made to drink out
of; finally, there were all things that might never be
found. A crowd of servitors brought orderly the

LUCIUS APULEIUS

scitule subministrare, pueri calami strati pulchre in-
dusiati gemmas formatas in pocula vini vetusti fre-
quenter offerre.

lam illatis luminibus epularis sermo percrebruit,
iam risus affluens et ioci liberales et cavillus hinc
inde ; turn infit ad me Byrrhaena : " Quam com-
mode versaris in nostra patria ? Quod sciam, templis
et lavacris et ceteris operibus longe cunctas civitates
antecellimus, utensilium praeterea poll emus affatim.
Certe libertas otioso, et negotioso quidem advenae
Romana frequentia, modesto vero hospiti quies villa-
tica ; omni denique provinciae voluptarii secessus
20 sumus." Ad haec ego subiciens : " Vera memoras, nee
usquam gentium magis me liberum quam hie fuisse
credidi. Sed oppido formido caecas et inevitabiles
latebras magicae disciplinae : nam ne mortuorum
quidem sepulchra tutadicuntur sed ex bustis et rogis
reliquiae quaedam et cadaverum praesegmina ad
exitiabiles viventium fortunas petuntur ; et canta-
trices anus in ipso momento choragii funebris praepeti
celeritate alienam sepulturam antevortunt." His
meis addidit alius : " Immo vero istic nee viventibus
quidem ullis parcitur : et nescioqui simile passus ore
undique omnifariam deformato truncatus est." Inter
haec convivium totum in licentiosos cachinnos effuri-
ditur, omniumque ora et obtutus in unum quempiam
angulo secubantem conferuntur : qui cunctorum
78

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

plentiful meats in rich apparel, the pages curled and
arrayed in silk robes did fill great gems made in
form of cups with ancient wine.

Then one brought in candles and torches : and
when we were sat down and placed in order we
began to talk, to laugh and be merry. And Byrrhaena
spoke to me, and said : " I pray you, cousin, how like
you our country ? Verily I think there is no other
city which hath the like temples, baths and other
commodities as we have here : further we have abund-
ance of household stuff, we have freedom for him
that will rest, and when a busy merchant cometh, he
may find here as many as at Rome ; but for a stranger
that will have quiet there is peace as at a country-
house : and in fine, all that dwell within this province
(when they purpose to solace and repose themselves)
do come to this city."

Whereunto I answered : " Verily you tell truth, for
I have found no place in all the world where I may
be freer than here ; but I greatly fear the blind and
inevitable pits of witchcraft, for they say that not
even the graves of the dead are sate, but the bones
and slices of such as are slain be digged up from
tombs and pyres to afflict and torment such as live :
and the old witches as soon as they hear of the death
of any person do forthwith go and uncover the hearse
and spoil the corpse before ever it be buried."

Then another sitting at the table spoke and said :
" In faith you say true, neither yet do they spare or
favour the living.^ For I know one not far hence
that was cruelly handled by them and hath suffered
much with all manner of cutting of his face " ;
whereat all the company laughed heartily, and looked
upon one that sat apart at the board's end, who
being amazed at all their gazing and angry withal,

79

LUCIUS A PU LEI US

obstinatione confusus indigna murmurabundus cum
vellet exsurgere, " Immo mi Thelyphron" Byrrhaena
inquit " Et subsiste paulisper et more tuae urbanitatis
f'abulam illam tuam remetire, ut et filius meus iste
Lucius lepidi sermonis tui perfruatur comitate." At
ille " Tu quidem domina " ait " In officio manes sanctae
tuae bonitatis : sed ferenda non est quorundam
insolentia." Sic ille commotus ; sed instantia
Byrrhaenae, quae eum adiuratione suae salutis in-
21 gratis cogebat effari, perfecit ut vellet, ac sic aggeratis
in cumulum stragulis et effultus in cubitum sub-
erectusque in torum porrigit dexteram, et ad instar
oratorum conformat articulum duobusque infimis
coriclusis digitis ceteros erninus porrigens et infesto
pollice subfigens infit Thelypbron :

"Pupillus ego Mileto profectus ad spectaculum
Olympicum, cum haec etiam loca provinciae fami-
gerabilis adire cuperem, peragrata cuncta Thessalia
fuscis avibus Larissam accessi. Ac dum singula
pererrans, tenuato admodum viatico, paupertati meae
fomenta conquiro, conspicor medio foro procerum
quendam senem : insistebat lapidem claraque voce
praedicabat, si qui mortuum servare vellet^ tie pretio
liceretur ; et ad quempiam praetereuntium ' Quid
hoc' inquam 'comperior? Hiciiie mortui solent
aufugere ? ' ' Tace ' respondit ille, ' Nam oppido

80

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

murmured somewhat and would have risen from the
table had not Byrrhaena spoken to him and said :
" I pray thee, friend Thelyphron, sit still, and accord-
ing to thy accustomed courtesy declare unto us thy
story, to the end that my son Lucius may be de-
lighted with the pleasantness of thy tale." To whom
he answered : " Ah dame, you are always the same
in the office of your bounty and thoughtfulness, but
the insolence of some is not to be supported." This
he said very angrily, but Byrrhaena was earnest upon
him and conjured him by her own life that he should,
how unwilling soever, tell his tale, whereby he was
enforced to declare the same : and so (lapping up
the end of the table-cloth into an heap) he leaned
with his elbow thereon, and sat up upon the couch and
held out his right hand in the manner of an orator,
shutting down the two smaller fingers and stretching
out the other three, and pointing up with his thumb
a little, and said :

" When I was a young man I went from the city
called Miletus to see the games and triumphs called
Olympian, and being desirous also to come into this
famous province, after that I had travelled over all
Thessaly, I fortuned in an evil hour to come to the
city Larissa, where, while I went up and down to
view the streets, to take some relief for my poor
estate (for I had spent near all my money) 1 espied
a tall old man standing upon a stone in the midst of
the market-place, crying with a loud voice, and
saying that if any man would watch a dead corpse
that night he should be rewarded and a price be fixed
for his pains. Which when I heard I said to one
that passed by : ' What is here to do ? Do dead men
use to run away in this country?' Then answered
he : ' Hold your peace ; for you are but a babe and a
F 81

LUCIUS APULEIUS

puer et satis peregrinus es, meritoque ignoras Thes-
saliae te consistere, ubi sagae mulieres ora mortuorum
passim demorsitant, eaque sunt illis artis magicae

22 supplements ' Contra ego ' Et quae, tu ' inquam
' Die sodes-, custodela ilia feralis ? ' ' lam primum '
respondit ille ' Perpetem noctem eximie vigilandum
est exertis et inconnivis oculis semper in cadaver
intentis, nee acies usquam devertenda, immo ne
obliquanda quidem, quippe cum deterrimae ver-
sipelles in quodvis animal ore converse latenter
arrepant. ut ipsos etiam oculos solis et lustitiae
facile frustrentur ; nam et aves et rursum canes et
mures, immo vero etiam muscas induunt. Tune
diris cantaminibus somno custodes obruunt : nee satis
quisquam definire poterit quantas latebras nequissimae
mulieres pro libidine sua comminiscuntur. Net
tamen huius tarn exitiabilis operae merces amplior
quam quaterni vel seni ferme offeruntur aurei.
Ehem, et quod paene praeterieram, si qui non
integrum corpus mane restituerit, quicquid inde
decerptum deminutumque fuerit, id omne de facie
sua desecto sarcire compellitur.'

23 " His cognitis animum meum commasculo, et illico
accedens praeconem e Clamare ' inquam ' lam desine :
adest custos paratus, cedo praemium.' ' Mille ' inquit
' Nummum deponentur tibi. Sed heus iuvenis, cave
diligenter principum civitatis filii cadaver a malis
Harpyiis probe custodias.' « Ineptias ' inquam ' Mihi
82

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

stranger here, and not without cause you are ignorant
how you are in Thessaly, where the women witches do
bite off by morsels the flesh of the faces of dead men,
and thereby work their sorceries and enchantments.'
'Then/ quoth I, ' In good fellowship tell me the
order of this custody of the dead and how it is : '
' Marry,' quoth he, ' First you must watch all the
night, with your eyes staring and bent continually
upon the corpse, without winking, never looking off
nor even moving aside : for these witches do change
their skin and turn themselves at will into sundry
kinds of beasts, whereby they deceive the eyes even
of the sun and of very Justice ; sometimes they are
transformed into birds, sometimes into dogs and
mice, and sometimes into flies ; moreover they will
charm the keepers of the corpse asleep, neither can
it be declared what means and shifts these wicked
women do use to bring their purpose to pass : and
the reward for such dangerous watching is no more
than four or six pieces of gold. But hearken further,
which I had well nigh forgotten, if the keeper of the
dead do not render on the morning following the
corpse whole and sound as he received the same, he
shall be punished in this sort. That is ; if the corpse
be diminished or spoiled in any part, the same shall
be diminished and spoiled in the face of the keeper
to patch it up withal.'

"Which when I heard I took a good heart and
went unto the crier and bade him cease, for I would
take the matter in hand, and so I demanded what I
should have. ' Marry,' quoth he, ' A thousand pence ;
but beware I say, young man, that you do well
defend the dead corpse from the wicked witches,
for he was the son of one of the chiefest of the city.'
' Tush,' said I, ' You speak you cannot tell what ;

83

LUCIUS APULEIUS

harras et nugas meras. Vides hominem ferreum et
insomnem, certe perspicaciorem ipso Lynceo vel Argo
et oculeum totum.'

" Vix finieram, et illico me perducit ad domum
quampiam, cuius ipsis foribus obsaeptis per quan-
dambrevem posticulam intro vocat me et conclave
quoddam obseratis luminibus umbrosum demonstrat
matronamque flebilem fusca veste contectam, quam
propter assistens fHic inquit 'Auctoratus ad cus-
todiam mariti tui fidenter accessit.' At ilia crini-
bus antependulis hinc inde demotis etiam in maerore
luculentam proferens faciem., meque respiciens 'Vide
oro' inquit ' Quam expergite munus obeas.' 'Sine
cura sis ' ; inquam ( Modo corollarium idoneum com-
24 para.' Sic placito ocius surrexit et ad aliud me
cubiculum inducit : ibi corpus splendentibus linteis
coopertum introductis quibusdam septem testibus
manu revelat et diutine insuper fleto 1 obtestata fidem
praesentium singula demonstrat anxie, verba concepta
de industria quodam tabulis praenotante. ' Ecce '
inquit ' Nasus integer, incolumes oculi, salvae aures,
illibatae labiae, mentum solidum. Vos in hanc rem,
boni Quirites, testimonium perhibetote '; et cum dicto
consignatis illis tabulis facessit.

" At ego, ' lube ' inquam ' Domina, cuncta quae

l This is the ingenious suggestion of Nic. Heinsius for the
MSS' usu perfleto.

84

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

behold I am a man made all of iron, and have never
desire to sleep, and am more quick of sight than
Lynceus or Argus, and must be all eyes.'

" I had scarce spoken these words, when he took
me by the hand, and brought me to a certain house,
the gate whereof was closed fast, so that I went
through a small wicket, and then he brought me
into a chamber somewhat dark, the light being
shut out, and shewed me a matron clothed in mourn-
ing vesture and weeping in lamentable wise : and he
stood by and spake unto her and said : 'Behold here
is one that is employed to watch the corpse of your
husband faithfully this night.' Which when she
heard, she pushed aside her hair that hung before
her blubbered face that was yet very fair, and turned
her unto me, saying : ' Mark you, young man, take
good heed and see you be vigilant to your office.'
' Have no care,' quoth I, ' So that you will give me
something above that which is due to be given,'
wherewith she was contented ; and then rose and
brought me into another chamber, wherein the
corpse lay covered with white sheets, and she called
seven witnesses, before whom she removed the cloth,
and wept long over him, then shewed the dead body
and every part and parcel thereof, and with weeping
eyes desired them all to testify the matter, which
done she said these words that she had composed
of set purpose, while one wrote and noted the same
in tables : ' Behold his nose is whole, his eyes safe,
his ears without scar, his lips untouched, and his
chin sound : do you, good citizens, bear witness
hereto ' : and then was all inscribed with the hands
of the witnesses to confirm the same.

"This done, I said unto the matron: ' Madam, I
pray you bid that I may have all things here

85

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sunt usui necessaria nobis exhiberi.' 'At quae ' in-
quit ' Ista sunt ? ' ' Lucerna ' aio ' Praegrandis et
oleum ad lucem luci sufficiens et calida cum oeno-
phoris et calice cenarumque reliquiis discus ornatus.'
Tune ilia capite quassato ' Abi ' inquit ' Fatue, qui
in domo funesta cenas et partes requiris, in qua tot-
iugis iam diebus ne fumus quidem visus est ullus.
An istic comissatum te venisse credis ? Quin sumis
potius loco congruentes luctus et lacrimas ? ' Haec
simul dicens respexit ancillulam, et ' Myrrhine ' in-
quit ' Lucernam et oleum trade confestim et incluso
custode cubiculo protinus facesse.'

25 "Sic desolatus ad cadaveds solacium perfrictis
oculis et obai-matis ad vigilias animum meurn per-
mulcebam cantationibus, cum ecce crepusculum et
nox provecta et nox altior et dein concubia altiora et
iam nox intempesta, mihique oppido formido cumu-
latior quidem,, cum repente introrepens mustela
contra me constitit obtutumque acerrimum in me
destituit, ut tantillula anirnalis prae nimia sui fiducia
mihi turbarit animum : denique sic ad illam ' Quin
abis ' inquam « Impurata bestia, teque ad tui similes
musculos recondis, antequam nostri vim praesentariam
experiaris ? Quin abis ? ' Terga vortit et cubiculo
protinus exterminatur : nee mora, cum me somnus
profundus in imum barathrum repente demergit, ut
ne deus quidem Delphicus ipse facile discerneret,
duobus nobis iacentibus, quis esset magis mortuus : sic
inanimis et indigens alio custode paene ibi non eram.

26 "Commodum noctis inducias cantus perstrepebat
86

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

necessary.' -What is that?' quoth she. ' Marry,'
said 1, ' A great lamp replenished with oil, pots of
wine, and warm water to temper the same, a cup,
and some other dainty dish that was left at supper.'
Then she shook her head, and said : ' Away, fool as
thou art, thinkest thou to play the glutton here, and
to look for dainty meats, where so long time hath not
been seen any smoke at all ? Cornest thou here to
revel, rather than weep and lament suitably to the
place ? ' And therewithal she turned back and
commanded her maiden Myrrhine to deliver me a
lamp with oil, and to close in the watcher and depart
from the room.

"Now when I was alone to keep the corpse
company, I rubbed mine eyes to arm them for
watching, and to the intent that I would not sleep
I solaced my mind with singing, and so I passed the
time till it was dark, and then night deeper and
deeper still, and then midnight, when behold, as I
grew already more afraid, there crept in a weasel
into the chamber, and she came against me and fixed
a sharp look upon me and put me in very great fear,
in so much that I marvelled greatly of the audacity
of so little a beast. To whom I said : ' Get thee
hence, thou filthy brute, and hie thee to the mice thy
fellows, lest thou feel my fingers. Why wilt thou
not go ? ' Then incontinently she ran away, and
when she was quite gone from the chamber, I fell on
the ground so fast in the deepest depth of sleep that
Apollo himself could not well discern whether of us
two was the dead corpse, for I lay prostrate as one
without life, and needed a keeper likewise, and had
as well not been there.

"At length the cocks began to crow declaring
night past and that it was now day, wherewithal I

87

LUCIUS APULEIUS

cristatae cohortis ; tandem expergitus et nimiopavore
perterritus cadaver accurro et admoto lumine
revelataque eius facie rimabar singula, quae cuncta
convenerant : ecce uxor misella flens cum hesternis
testibus introrumpit anxia, et statim corpori super-
ruens multumque ac diu deosculata sub arbitrio
luminis recognoscit omnia. Et conversa Philo-
despotum requirit actorem : ei praecipit, bono custodi
redderet sine mora praemium, et oblato statim
'Summas' inquit 'Tibi, iuvenis,, gratias agimus et
Hercule ob sedulum istud ministerium inter ceteros
familiares dehinc numerabimus.' Ad haec ego
insperato lucro diffusus in gaudium et in aureos
refulgentes, quos identidem manu rnea ventilabam
attonitus, ' Immo ' inquam ' Domina, de famulis tuis
unum putato, et quotiens operam nostram desiderabis,
fidenter impera.' Vix effatum me statim familiares
omnes nefarium exsecrati raptis cuiusquemodi telis
insequuntur: pugnis ille malas offendere, scapulas
alius cubitis impingere, palmis infestis hie latera
suffodere.calcibus insultare,capillos distrahere,,vestem
discindere. Sic in modum superbi iuvenis Adonei
vel musae vatis Pimpleidos 1 laceratus atque dis-
cerptus domo proturbor.

" Ac dum in proxima platea refovens animum in-
fausti atque improvidi sermonis mei sero reminiscor,

i The MSS found great difficulties in these proper names
and had produced a corruption something like Adoni vel mvstci
vatis Pipletis. Pimpleidos is Beroaldus' suggestion

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

waked and, being greatly afraid, ran unto the dead
body with the lamp in my hand, and I uncovered his
face and viewed him closely round about ; all the
parts were there : and immediately came in .the
wretched matron all blubbered with her witnesses,
and threw herself upon the corpse, and eftsoons
kissing him, examined his body in the lamplight, and
found no part diminished. Then she turned and
commanded one Philodespotus, her steward, to pay
the good guardian his wages forthwith, which when
he had done, he said : ' We thank you, gentle young
man, for your pains, and verily for your diligence
herein we will account you as one of the family.'

"Whereupon I, being joyous of my unhoped gain,
and rattling my money in my hand, as I gazed upon
its shining colour, did answer : ' Nay, madam, I pray
you, esteem me as one of your servitors ; and as often
as you need my services at any time, I am at your
commandment.'

" I had not fully declared these words, when as
behold, all the servants of the house did curse the
dreadful ominousness of my words, and were assem-
bled to drive me away with all manner of weapons ;
one buffeted me about the face with his fists, another
thrust his elbows into my shoulders, some struck me
in the sides with their hands, some kicked me, some
pulled me by the hair, some tore my garments, and
so I was handled amongst them and driven from the
house even as the proud young man Adonis who was
torn by a boar, or Orpheus the Muses' poet.

" When I was come into the next street to recover
my spirit, I mused with myself too late mine unwise
and unadvised words which I had spoken, whereby
I considered that I had deserved much more punish-
ment, and that J was worthily beaten for my folly :

89

LUCIUS APULEIUS

dignuinque me pluribus etiam verberibus fuissfe
raerito consentio, ecce iam ultimum defletus atque
conclamatus processerat mortuus, rituque patrio,
utpote unus de optimatibus, pompa funeris public!
ductabatur per forum. Occurrit atratus quidam
maestus in lacrimis genialem canitiem revellens
senex, et manibus ambabus invadens torum, voce
contenta quidem sed assiduis singultibus impedita?
'Per fidem vestram ' inquit ' Quirites, per pietatem
publicam perempto civi subsistite, et extremum
facinus in nefariam scelestamque istam feminam
severiter vindicate. Haec enim, nee ullus alius.
miserum adulescentem, sororis meae nlium,in adulteri
gratiam et ob praedam hereditariam extinxit veneno.'
Sic ille senior lamentabiles questus singulis instrepe-
bat. Saevire vulgus interdum et facti verisimilitudine
ad criminis credulitatem impelli : conclamant ignem,
requirunt saxa, parvulos ad exitium mulieris hortan-
tur. Emeditatis ad haec ilia fletibus, quanique
sanctissime poterat adiurans cuncta numina, tantum
scelus abnuebat.

28 " Ergo igitur senex ille : ' Veritatis arbitrium in
divinam providentiam reponamus. Zatchlas adest
Aegyptius, propheta primarius, qui mecum iamdu-
dum grandi praemio pepigit reducere paulisper ab
inferis spiritum corpusque istud postliminio mortis
animare ' ; et cum dicto iuvenem quempiam linteis

90

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

and by and by the corpse came forth, after the last
words of farewell and lamentation, which (because it
was the body of one of the chiefs of the city) was
carried in funeral pomp round about the market-
place, according to the rite of the country there.
And forthwith stepped out an old man weeping and
lamenting and tearing his venerable and aged hair,
and ran unto the bier and embraced it, and with
deep sighs and sobs cried out in this sort : ' O
masters, I pray you, by the duty which you owe to
the public weal, take pity and mercy upon this dead
corpse, who is miserably murdered, and do ven-
geance on this wicked and cursed woman his wife,
which hath committed this fact, for it is she and no
other that hath poisoned her husband, my sister's
son, to the intent to maintain her adultery and to
get his hei'itage.'

" In this sort the old man complained before the
face of all the people. Then they, astonished at
these sayings and because the thing seemed to be
true, began to be very angry and cried out : ' Burn
her, burn her,' and they sought for stones to throw
at her, and willed the boys in the street to do the
same ; but she, weeping in lamentable wise with
feigned tears, did swear by all the gods that she
was not culpable of this crime.

"Then quoth the old man: 'Let us refer the
judgment of truth to the divine providence of God.
Behold here is one Zatchlas, an Egyptian, who is
the most principal prophesier in all this country,
and who was hired of me long since to bring back
the soul of this man from hell for a short season,
and to revive his body from beyond the threshold of
death for the trial hereof ; and therewithal he
brought forth a certain young man clothed in linen

91

um
lius

LUCIUS APULEIUS

amiculis iniectum pedesque palmeis baxeis inductum
et adusque deraso capita producit in medium. Huius
diu manus deosculatus, et ipsa genua contingens,
'Miserere' ait ' Sacerdos, miserere, per caelestia
sidera, per inferna numina, per naturalia elementa,
per nocturna silentia, et adyta Coptica,, et per in-
crementa Nilotica, et arcana Memphitica, et sistra
Phariaca, da brevem solis usuram et in aeternum
conditis oculis modicam lucem infunde. Non obni-
timur, nee terrae rem suam denegamus, sed ad ul-
tionis solacium exiguum vitae spatium deprecamur.'

" Propheta sic propitiatus herbulam quampiam ob
os corporis et aliam pectori eius imponit. Tune
orientem obversus incrementa solis augusti tacitus
imprecatus venerabilis scaenae facie studia praesen-
tium ad miraculum tantum certatim arrexit.
29 " Immitto me turbae socium et pone ipsum lectu-
lum editiorem quendam lapidem insistens cuncta
curiosis oculis arbitrabar : iam tumore pectus extolli,
' iam salubris vena pulsari, iam spiritu corpus impleri ;
et assurgit cadaver et profatur adolescens : ' Quid,
oro, me post Lethaea pocula iam Stygiis paludibus

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

raiment, having on his feet a pair of sandals of palm-
leaves and his crown shaven ; and he kissed his
hands often and touched even his knees, saying : ' O
Priest, have mercy, have mercy, I pray thee by
the celestial planets, by the powers infernal, by the
virtue of the natural elements, by the silences of the
night, by the temples nigh unto the town of Coptos,
by the increase of the flood of Nile, by the secret
mysteries of Memphis, and by the rattles x of Pharos:
have mercy, I say, and call again to the light of the
sun for a short moment this dead body, and make
that his eyes which be closed and shut for ever,
may be opened awhile and see ; howbeit we mean
not to strive against the law of death, neither intend
we to deprive the earth of its right, but (to the end
that vengeance may be done) we crave but a small
time and space of life.'

" At this the prophet was moved, and took a cer-
tain herb, and laid it three times upon the mouth of
the dead, and he took another, and laid it upon his
breast in like sort : thus when he had done he
turned himself unto the East, and made silently
certain orisons unto the proud and rising sun, which
caused all the people to marvel greatly at the sight
of this solemn acting, and to look for the strange
miracle that should happen.

" Then I pressed in amongst them nigh behind
the bier, and got upon a stone to look curiously upon
this mystery, and behold incontinently his breast did
swell, the dead body began to receive spirit, his
principal veins did move, his life came again, and he
held up his head, and spoke in this sort : ' Why do
you call me back again to the duties of this transitory
life, that have already tasted of the water of Lethe,
1 The sistrum or rattle of Isis.

93

LUCIUS APULEIUS
innatantem ad momentariae vitae reducitis officia?
Desine iam, precor, desine, ac me in meam quietem
permitte.' Haec audita vox de corpora ; sed aliquanto
propheta commotior (Quin refers' ait 'Populo sin-
gula, tuaeque mortis iliuminas arcana ? An non
putas devotionibus meis posse Diras invocari, posse
tibi membra lassa torqueri ? ' Suscipit ille de lectulo
et imo cum gemitu populum sic adorat : ' Malis
novae nuptae peremptus artibus et addictus noxio
poculo torum tepentem adultero mancipavi.'

" Tune uxor egregia capit praesentem audaciam et
mente sacrilega coarguenti marito resistens altercat.
Populus aestuat diversa tendentes : hi pessimam
feminam viventem statim cum corpore mariti sepe-
liendam, alii mendacio cadaveris fidem non haben-
30 dam. Sed hanc cunctationem sequens adulescentis
sermo distinxit ; nam rursus altius ingemescens
' Dabo/ inquit ' Dabo vobis intemeratae veritatis
documenta ; perlucide quod prorsus alius nemo cog-
noverit indicabo.' Tune, digito me demonstrans :
' Nam cum corporis mei custos hie sagacissimus exer-
tam mihi teneret vigiliam, cantatrices anus exuviis
meis imminentes atque ob id reformatae frustra sae-
pius, cum industriam sedulam eius fallere nequivis-
sent, postremum, iniecta somni nebula eoque in
profundam quietem sepulto, me nomine ciere non
prius desierunt, quam dum hebetes artus et membra
frigida pigris conatibus ad artis magicae nituntur

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

and likewise floated upon the waters of Styx ? Leave
off, I pray, leave off, and let me lie in quiet rest.'
When these words were uttered by the dead
corpse, the prophet, moved with anger, said : ' I
charge thee to tell, before the face of all the people
here, the secret occasion of thy death. What?
Dost thou think that I cannot by my conjurations
call up the Furies and by my puissance torment thy
weary limbs ? '

"Then the corpse moved up his head again, and
with a deep groan thus made reverence unto the
people, and said : ' Verily, I was poisoned by the evil
arts of my newly wedded wife, and so yielded my
bed, still warm, unto an adulterer.' Whereat his ex-
cellent wife, taking present audacity and reproving
his sayings, with a cursed mind did deny it. The
people were in a turmoil and divided in sundry
ways ; some thought best the vile woman should
be buried alive with her husband, but some said
there ought no credit to be given unto the dead
body that spake falsely : which opinion was clean
taken away by the words which the corpse spoke
again with deeper groaning, and said : ' Behold, I
will give you an evident token, which never yet any
other man knew, whereby you shall perceive that I
declare the truth,' and by and by he pointed towards
me that stood on the stone, and said : ' When this,
the good guardian of my body, watched me diligently
in the night, and the wicked witches and enchan-
tresses came into the chamber to spoil me of my
limbs, and to bring such their purpose to pass, did
transform themselves into the shape of beasts ; and
when they could in no wise deceive or beguile his
vigilant eyes, they cast him at last into so dead and
sound a sleep that by their witchcraft he seemed

95

LUCIUS APULEIUS

obsequia. Hie utpote vivus quidem sed turn sopore
mortuus, quod eodem mecum vocabulo nuncupatur,
ad suum nomen ignarus exsurgit et in exanimis um-
brae modum ultroneus gradiens, quamquam foribus
cubiculi diligenter occlusis, per quoddam foramen pro-
sectis naso prius ac mox auribus vicariam pro me lanie-
nam sustentavit : utque fallaciae reliqua convenissent,
ceram in modum prosectarum formatam aurium ei
applicant examussim nasoque ipsius similem com-
parant. Et nunc assistit miser hie praemium non
industriaej sed debilitationis consecutus.' His dictis
perterritus tentare fortunam aggredior : iniecta manu
nasum prehendo, sequitur ; aures pertracto, deruunt.
Ac dum directis digitis et detortis nutibus praesen-
tium denotor, dum risus ebullit, inter pedes circum-
stantium frigido sudore defluens evado. Nee postea
debilis ac sic ridiculus Lari me patrio reddere potui,,
sed capillis hinc inde laterum deiectis aurium vulnera
celavi, nasi vero dedecus linteolo isto pressim aggluti-
nate decenter obtexi."

31 Cum primum Thelyphron hanc fabulam posuit,
compotores vino madidi rursum cachinnum integrant.
Dumque bibere solita Risui postulant, sic ad me Byr-
rhaena : " Solemnis " inquit " Dies a primis cunabulis
huius urbis conditus crastinus advenit, quo die soli
mortalium sanctissimum deum Risum hilaro atque
gaudiali ritu propitiamus. Hunc tua praesentia nobis
96

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

without spirit or life. After this they called me by
my name, and did never cease till the cold members
of my body began by little and little to revive to
obey their magic arts : then he, being lively indeed,
howbeit buried in sleep, because he and I were
named by one name, rose up when they called, and
walked as one without sense like some lifeless ghost :
and they, though the door was fast closed, came in
by a certain hole and cut off first his nose and then
his ears, and so that butchery was done to him,
which was appointed to be done to me. And that
such their subtlety might not be perceived, they
made him very exactly a like pair of ears of wax, and
fitted it exactly upon him, and a nose like his they
made also, wherefore you may see that the poor
wretch for his diligence hath for lucre of a little
money sustained loss of his members.'

" Which when he had said I was greatly astonished,
and (minding to feel my face) put my hand to my
nose, and my nose fell off, and put my hand to
my ears, and my ears fell off. Whereat all the people
pointed and nodded at me, and laughed me to scorn :
but I (being stricken in a cold sweat) crept between
their legs for shame and escaped away. So J, dis-
figured and ridiculous, could never return home
again, but covered the loss of mine ears with my
long hair and glued this clout to my face to hide the
shame of my nose. "

As soon as Thelyphron had told his tale they which
sat at the table, replenished with wine, laughed
heartily ; and while they cried for a toast after their
fashion to Laughter, Byrrhaena spoke to me and
said : " From the first foundation of this city, we
alone of all men have had a custom to celebrate with
joyful and pleasant rites the festival day of the god

o 97

LUCIUS APULEIUS

efficies gratiorem; atque utinam aliquid de proprio lep-
ore laetificum honorando deo comminiscaris,quo magis
pleniusque tanto numini litemus." "Bene" inquam
" Et fiet ut iubes. Et vellem Hercule materiam rep-
perire aliquam, quam deus tantus affluenter indueret."
Post haec monitu famuli mei, qui noctis admone-
bat, iam et ipse crapula distentus, protinus exsurgo
et appellata prospere Byrrhaena titubante vestigio
82 domuitionem capesso. Sed cum primam plateam in-
vadimuSj vento repentino lumen, quo nitebamur, ex-
tinguitur, ut vix improvidae noctis caligine liberati,
digitis pedum detunsis ob lapides, hospitium defessi
rediremus, dumque iam iunctim proximamus, ecce
tres quidam vegetes et vastulis corporibus fores nos-
tras ex summis viribus irruentes ac ne praesentia
quidem nostra tantillum conterriti, sed magis cum
aemulatione virium crebrius insultantes, ut nobis
ac mihi potissimum non immerito latrones esse, et
quidem saevissimi, viderentur. Statim denique gla-
dium, quern veste mea contectum ad hos usus ex-
tuleram, sinu liberatum arripio, nee cunctatus medios
latrones involo ac singulis, ut quemque colluctantem
offenderam, altissime demerge, quoad tandem ante
ipsa vestigia mea vastis et crebris perforati vulneribus
spiritus efflaverint. Sic proeliatus, iam tumultu eo
Fotide suscitata, patefactis aedibus anhelans et su-
dore perlutus irrepo, meque statim utpote pugna
trium1 latronum in vicem Geryoneae caedis fatigatum,
lecto simul et somno tradidi.

1 The certain emendation, independently made by Salmasius
and Rohde, of the MSS' pugnarium.

98

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK II

Laughter, and to-morrow is the feast, when I pray
you to be present to set out the same more honour-
ably, and I would with all my heart that you could
find or devise somewhat merry of yourself, that you
might the more honour so great a god." To whom
I answered : " Verily, cousin, I will do as you com-
mand me, and right glad would I be if I might
invent any laughing or merry matter to please or
satisfy Laughter withal." Then at the warning of
my servant, who told me the night was late, being
also well drunken with wine, I rose from the table,
took leave of Byrrhaena, and departed with tottering
steps on my homeward way.

But when we came into the first street, the torch
whereunto we trusted went out with a sudden gust of
wind, so that with great pain we could scarce get
out of this sudden darkness to our lodging, weary
with our toes stumbling against the stones. And
when we were well nigh come to the door, behold I
saw three men of great stature heaving and lifting
at Milo's gates to get in. And when they saw me,
they were nothing afraid, but assayed with more
force to break down the doors, whereby they gave
me occasion, and not without cause, to think that
they were strong thieves. Whereupon I straightway
drew my sword which I carried for that purpose
under my cloak, and ran in amongst them, and
wounded them deeply as each thrust against me, in
such sort that they fell down for their many and
great wounds before my feet and gave up the ghost.
Thus when I had slain them all, I knocked, sweating
and breathing, at the door, till Fotis, awaked by the
tumult, let me in. , And then full weary with the
slaughter of these three thieves, like Hercules when
he fought King Geryon, I went to my chamber and
laid me down to sleep.

99

1 COMMODUM punicantibus phaleris Aurora roseum
quatiens lacertum caelum inequitabat et me securae
quieti revulsum nox diei reddidit. Aestus invadit
animum vesperni recordatione facinoris ; complicitis
denique pedibus ac palmulis in alternas digitorum
vicissitudines super genua connexis sic grabatum
cossim insidens ubertim flebam, iam forum et iudicia,
iam sententiam, ipsum denique carnificem imagina-
bundus. " An mihi quisquam tarn mitis tamque
benivolus iudex obtinget, qui me trinae caedis cruore
perlitum et tot civium sanguine delibutum inno-
centem pronuntiare poterit ? Hanc illam mihi
gloriosam peregrinationem fore Chaldaeus Dio-
phanes obstinate praedicabat."

Haec identidem mecum replicans fortunas meas
eiulabam : quati fores interdum et frequenti

2 clamore ianuae nostrae perstrepi; nee mora, cum
magna irruptione patefactis aedibus magistratibus
eorumque ministris et turbae miscellaneae cuncta
completa statimque lictores duo de iussu magis-
tratuum immissa manu trahere me sane non reni-
tentem occipiunt. Ac dum primum angiportum
100

BOOK III

So soon as morning was come, and Aurora had lifted
her rosy arm to drive her bright coursers through the
shining heaven, and night tore me from peaceful
sleep and gave me up to the day, my heart burned
sore with remembrance of the murder which I had
committed on the night before : and I rose and sat
down on the bed with my legs across, and clasping
my hands over my knees with fingers intertwined I
wept bitterly. For I imagined with myself that I
was brought before the judge in the judgement-place,
and that he awarded sentence against me, and that
the hangman was ready to lead me to the gallows.
And further I imagined and said : "Alas, what judge
is he that is so gentle or benign that he will think I
am unguilty of the slaughter and murder of these
three men, and will absolve me, stained with the
innocent blood of so many of the city ? Thus
forsooth the Assyrian Diophanes did firmly assure
unto me, that my peregrination and voyage hither
should be prosperous."

But while I did thus again and agaiti unfold my
sorrows and greatly bewail my fortune, behold I
heard a great noise and cry at the door ; in a moment
the gates were flung open, and in came the magis-
trates and officers, and all their retinue, that filled all
the place, and commanded two sergeants to lay

LUCIUS APULEIUS
insistimus, statim civitas onmis in publicum l effusa
mira densitate nos insequitur, et quamquam capite
in terrain, immo ad ipsos inferos iam deiecto
maestus incederern, obliquato tamen aspectu rem
admirationis maximae conspicio ; nam inter tot milia
populi circumstrepentis nemo prorsum, qui non
risu dirumperetur, aderat. Tandem pererratis plateis
omnibus et in modum eorum, quibus lustralibus
piamentis minas portentorum hostiis circumforaneis
expiant, circumductus angulatim forum eiusque
tribunal astituor : iamque sublimo suggestu magis-
tratibus residentibus, iam praecone publico silentium
clamante, repente cuncti consona voce flagitant,
propter coetus multitudinem, quae pressurae nimia
densitate periclitaretur, iudicium tantum theatre
redderetur. Nee mora, cum passim populus pro-
currens caveae consaeptum mira celeritate complevit :
aditus etiam et tectum omne fartim stipaverant ;
plerique columnis implexi, alii statuis dependuli,
nonnulli per fenestras et lacunaria semiconspicui,
miro tamen omnes studio visendi pericula salutis
neglegebant. Tune me per proscaenium medium
velut quandam victimam publica ministeria producunt
3 et orchestrae mediae sistunt. Sic rursum praeconis
amplo boatu citatus accusator quidam senior exsurgit,

1 MSS populum. This is Gruter's emendation.
102

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

hands on me and lead me to prison, whereunto I
willingly obedient ; and as we came to the mouth of
our lane all the city gathered together in a thick
throng and followed me, and although I looked
always on the ground, nay, even to the very pit of
death for misery, yet sometimes I cast my head aside,
and marvelled greatly that amongst so many thousand
people there was not one but laughed exceedingly.
Finally, when they had brought me through all the
streets of the city, and to every nook and corner, in
manner of those as go in procession and do sacrifice
to mitigate the ire of the gods, they placed me in the
judgement-hall before the seat of the judges : and
after that the magistrates had taken their seat on a
high stage, and the crier had commanded all men to
keep silence, the people instantly cried out with one
voice and desired the judges to give sentence in the
great theatre by reason of the great multitude that
was there, whereby they were in danger of stifling.
And behold they ran and very quickly filled the
whole pit of the theatre, and the press of people
increased still ; some climbed to the top of the house,
some got upon the beams, some hung from the
images, and some thrust in their heads through the
windows and ceilings, little regarding the dangers
they were in, so they might see me. Then the
officers brought me forth openly into the middle of
the place like some victim, that every man might
behold me, and made me to stand in the midst of
the stage. And after that the crier had made an
" Oyez " and willed all such as would bring any
evidence against me should come forth, there stepped
out an old man with an hour-glass of water in his
hand, wherein, through a small hole like to a funnel,
the water dropped softly, that he might have liberty

103

LUCIUS APULEIUS

et ad dicendi spatium vasculo quodam in vicem coli
graciliter fistulato ac per hoc guttatim defluo infusa
aqua, populum sic ad oral :

" Neque parva res ac praecipue pacem civitatis
cunctae respiciens et exemplo serio profutura tracta-
tur, Quirites sanctissimi. Quare magis congruit
sedulo singulos atque universes vos pro dignitate
publica providere, ne nefarius homicida tot caedium
lanienam, quam cruenter exercuit, impune com-
miserit. Nee me putetis privatis simultatibus in-
stinctum odio proprio saevire : sum namque noc-
turnae custodiae praefectus, nee in hodiernum credo
quemquam pervigilem diligentiam meam culpare
posse. Rem denique ipsam et quae nocte gesta sunt
cum fide proferam : nam cum fere iam tertia vigilia
scrupulosa diligentia cunctae civitatis ostiatim singula
considerans circuinirem, conspicio istum ci-udelis-
simum iuvenem mucrone destricto passim caedibus
operantem, iamque tres numero saevitia eius inter-
emptos ante pedes ipsius spirantibus1 adhuc cor-
poribus in multo sanguine palpitantes. Et ipse
quidem conscientia tanti facinoris merito permotus
statim profugit et in domum quandam praesidio
tenebrarum elapsus perpetem noctem delituit ; sed
providentia deum, quae nihil impunitum nocentibus
permittit, priusquam iste clandestinis itineribus
elaberetur, mane praestolatus ad gravissimum iudicii
vestri sacramentum eum curavi perducere. Habetis

l So van der Vliet for the MSS' spirantes.
104

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

to speak during the time of the continuance of the
water; and he began his oration to the people in
this sort :

" O most reverend and just judges, the thing
which I purpose to declare unto you is no small
matter, but toucheth the estate and tranquillity of
this whole city, and the punishment thereof may be
a right good example to others. Wherefore I pray
you, most venerable fathers, to whom and to every
of whom it doth appertain to provide for the dignity
and safety of the common weal, that you would in
no wise suffer this wicked homicide embrued with
the blood of so many murders to escape unpunished.
And think you not that I am moved by private envy
or hatred, but by reason of mine office, in that I am
captain of the night watch, and I think that until
this day no man alive can accuse me to be remiss in
the same. Now I will declare all the whole matter,
orderly, as it was done this last night. For when at
about the third watch of this night past I diligently
searched every part of the city, spying everything
close from one door to another, behold I fortuned to
espy this cruel young man, sword drawn out for
murder, and already three by his fierce onslaught dead
at his feet, their bodies still breathing, in a welter
of blood. Now this when he had done (moved in
his conscience at so great a crime) he ran away and
aided by reason of darkness slipped into a house
and there lay hidden all night ; but, by the pro-
vidence of the gods, which suifereth no heinous
offences to remain unpunished, he was taken up this
morning before he escaped any further by secret
ways, and so I have brought him hither to your
honourable presence to receive his desert accordingly.
So have you here a culpable homicide, one caught in

105

am

LUCIUS APULEIUS

itaque reum tot caedibus impiatum, reum coram
deprensum, reum peregrinum : constanter itaque in
hominem alienum ferte sententias de eo crimine,
quodetiam in vestrum civem severiter vindicaretis."

4 Sic profatus accusator acerrimus immanem vocem
repressit, ac me statim praeco, si quid ad ea respondere
vellem, iubebat incipere. At ego nihil tune temporis
amplius quam flere poteram, non tarn Hercule
truculentam accusationem intuens quam meam mi-
seram conscientiam ; sed tamen oborta divinitus
audacia sic ad ilia :

" Nee ipse ignore, quam sit arduum, trims civium
corporibus expositis eum qui caedis arguatur, quam-
vis vera dicat et de facto confiteatur ultro, tamen
tantae multitudinl, quod sit innocens, persuadere.
Sed si paulisper audientiam publica mihi tribuerit
humanitas, facile vos edocebo me discrimen capitis
• non meo merito, sed rationabilis indignationis eventu
fortuito tantam criminis invidiam frustra sustinere.

5 Nam cum a cena me serius aliquanto reciperem
potulentus alioquin, quod plane verum crimen meum
non diffitebor, ante ipsas fores hospitii (ad bonum
autem Milonem civem vestrum devorto) video quos-
dam saevissimos latrones aditum temptantes et
domus ianuas cardinibus obtortis evellere gestientes
claustrisque omnibus, quae accuratissime affixa
fuerantj violenter evulsis secum iam de inhabitan-
tium exitio deliberantes. Unus denique et manu
promptior et corpore vastior his affatibus et ceteros
106

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

the very act, and an accused stranger ; wherefore
pronounce the judgement against this man being
an alien, even as you would most severely and
sharply revenge such an offence found in a known
citizen."

In this sort the cruel accuser finished and ended
his terrible tale : then the crier commanded me to
speak if I had anything to say for myself, but I could
in no wise utter any word at all for weeping : yet
verily I esteemed not so much his rigorous accusa-
tion, as I did consider mine own miserable conscience.
Howbeit (being inspired by divine audacity) at
length I began to say :

" Verily I know that it is a hard thing for him that
is accused to have slain three persons, to persuade
you, being so many, that he is innocent, although he
should declare the whole truth, and confess the
matter how it was in deed ; but if your Honours
will vouchsafe to give me audience, I will shew you
that if I be condemned to die, I have not deserved it
by mine own desert, but that I was moved by the
fortune of reasonable anger to do that deed. For
returning somewhat late from supper yesternight
(being well tippled with wine, which I will not
deny) and approaching nigh unto my lodging, which
was in the house of good Milo, a citizen of this city,
I fortuned to espy three great thieves attempting to
break down his walls and gates, and to open the
locks to enter in, by tearing away all the doors from
the posts and by dragging out the bolts, which were
most firmly fixed ; and they consulted amongst
themselves how they would cruelly handle such as
they found in the house. And one of them being of
more courage and of greater stature than the rest,
spoke unto his fellows, urging them on, and said :

107

LUCIUS APULEIUS

incitabat : ' Heus pueri, quam maribus animis et
viribus alacribus dormientes aggrediamur. Omnis
cunctatio, ignavia omnis facessat e pectore ; stricto
mucrone per totam domum caedes ambulet : qui
sopitus iacebit, trucidetur ; qui repugnare tempta-
verit, feriatur. Sic salvi recedemus, si salvum in
domo neminem reliquerimus.' Fateor, Quirites,
extremes latrones (boni civis officium arbitratus,
simul et eximie metuens et hospitibus meis et mihi)
gladiolo, qui me propter huiusmodi pericula comita-
batur, armatus fugare atque proterrere eos aggressus
sum : at illi barbari prorsus et immanes homines
neque fugani capessunt et, cum me viderent in ferro,
6 tamen audaciter resistunt. Dirigitur proeliaris acies :
ipse denique dux et signifer ceterorum validis me
viribus aggressus illico manibus ambabus capillo
arreptum ac retro reflexum effligere lapide gestit ;
quern dum sibi porrigi flagitat, certa manu percussum
feliciter prosterno. Ac mox alium pedibus meis
mordicus inhaerentem per scapulas ictu temperato,
tertiumque improvide occurrentem pectore ofFenso
peremo. Sic pace vindicata, domoque hospitum ac
salute communi protecta, non tantum x impunem me,
verum etiam laudabilem publice credebam fore, qui
ne tantillo quidem umquam crimine postulatus, sed

i Koch's emendation for the MSS' tarn,
108

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

'Come, boys, take men's hearts unto you, and let us
enter into every part of the house, and attack them
that slumber therein. No delay, no cowardice in
your hearts ; let murder with drawn sword go
throughout the dwelling. Such as we find asleep
let us slay, and such likewise as resist let us kill, and
so by that mean's we shall escape without danger if
we leave none alive therein.' Verily, ye judges, I
confess that I drew out my sword, which I bore for
this manner of danger, against those three abandoned
robbers, willing to terrify and drive them away ; for
I thought that it was the office and duty of one that
beareth good will to this common weal so to do,
especially since they put me in great fear, both for
myself and for mine host. But when those cruel and
terrible men would in no case run away, nor fear my
naked sword, but boldly resisted against me, I ran
upon them and fought valiantly. One of them which
was the captain and leader of the rest invaded me
strongly and drew me by the hair with both his
hands, and would have beaten me with a great stone,
but while he groped therefor, I proved the hardier
man, and threw him down at my feet and killed him.
I took likewise the second that clasped about my
legs and bit me, and slew him also, thrusting him
through the shoulder. And the third that came
running carelessly upon me, after that I had struck
him full in the stomach, fell down dead. Thus when
I had restored peace and delivered myself, the
house, mine host, and all his family from this
present danger, I thought that I should not only
escape unpunished, but also have some great reward
of the city for my pains. Moreover I that have
always been clear and unspotted of crime and well
looked upon in mine own country, and that have

109

LUCIUS APULEIUS

probe spectatus apud meos, semper innocentiam
commodis cunctis antetuleram. Nee possum
repperire cur iustae ultionis, qua contra latronse
deterrimos commotus sum, nunc istum reatum sus-
tineam, cum nemo possit monstrare vel proprias inter
nos inimicitias praecessisse ac ne omnino mihi notos
illos latrones usquam fuisse ; vel certe ulla praeda
monstretur, cuius cupidine tantum flagitium credatur
admissum."

7 Haec profatus rursum lacrimis obortis, porrectisque
in preces manibus, per publicam misericordiam, per
pignorum caritatem maestus tune hos, tune illos
deprecabar. Cumque iam humanitate cornmotos,
misericord ia fletuum afFectos omnes satis crederem,
solis et lustitiae testatus oculum casumque prae-
sentem meum commendans deum providentiae, paulo
altius aspectu relato conspicio prorsus totum populum
(risu cachinnabili diffluebant) nee secus ilium bonum
hospitem parentemque meum Milonem risu maximo
dissolutum. At tune sic tacitus mecum " En fides "
inquam " En conscientia : ego quidem pro hospitis
salute et homicida sum et reus capitis inducor, at ille
non contentus quod mihi nee assistendi solacium
perhibuit, insuper exitium meum cachinnat."

8 Inter haec quaedam mulier per medium theatrum
lacrimosa et flebilis, atra veste contecta, parvulum
quendam sinu tolerans decurrit, ac pone earn anus
alia pannis horridis obsita paribusque maesta fletibus,
ramos oleagineos utraeque quatientes, quae circum-
110

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

esteemed mine innocency above all the treasure of
the world, can find no reasonable cause why, having
justly punished these evil robbers, I should now be
accused and condemned to die ; since there is none
that can affirm that there has been at any time either
grudge or hatred between us, or that we were aught
but men mere strangers and of no acquaintance : and
last of all, no man can prove that I committed that
deed for any lucre or gain."

When I had ended my words in this sort, behold I
wept again piteously, and holding up my hands, I
prayed all the people by their common mercy and for
the love of their poor infants and children to shew
me some pity and favour. And when I believed
their hearts somewhat relented and moved by my
lamentable tears, I called upon the eyes of the sun
and of Justice to witness that I was not guilty of the
crime, and so to the divine providence I committed
my present estate ; but lifting up somewhat mine
eyes again, I perceived that all the people laughed
with exceeding laughter, and especially my good
friend and host Milo. Then thought I with my-
self: "Alas! where is faith, where is conscience?
Behold for the safeguard of mine host and his family
I am a slayer of men, and brought to the bar as a
murderer. Yet is he not contented with coming
not to comfort and help me, but likewise laugheth
with all his heart at my destruction."

When this was a-doing, out came a woman
weeping into the middle of the theatre arrayed in
mourning vesture, and bearing a child in her arms.
And after her came an old woman in ragged robes
crying and howling likewise : and these brought with
them olive-boughs, and going about the bier whereon
lay the three slain bodies all covered up, with loud

111

LUCIUS APULEIUS

fusae lectulum, quo peremptorum cadavera contecta
fuerant, plangore sublato se lugubriter eiulantes,
" Per publicam misericord iam, per commune ius
humanitatis " aiunt " Miseremini indigne caesorum
iuvenum nostraeque viduitati ac solitudini de vindicta
solacium date. Certe parvuli huius in primis annis
destituti fortunis succurrite et de latronis huius san-
guine legibus vestris et disciplinae publicae litate."

Post haec magistratus qui natu maior assurgit et
ad populum talia : " De scelere quidem, quod serio
vindicandum est, nee ipse qui commisit potest diffiteri,
sed una tantum subseciva sollicitudo nobis relicta est,
ut ceteros socios tanti facinoris requiramus : necenim
verisimile est hominem solitarium tres tam validos
enecasse iuvenes. Prohinc tormentis veritas eruenda,
nam et qui comitabatur eum puer clanculo profugit,
et res ad hoc deducta est, ut per quaestionem sceleris
sui participes indicet, ut tam dirae factionis funditus
9 formido perematur." Nee mora, cum ritu Graeciensi
ignis et rota, turn ormie flagrorum genus inferuntur.
Augetur oppido, immo duplicatur mihi maestitia
quod integro saltern mori non licuerit. Sed anus
ilia, quae fletibus cuncta turbaverat, " Prius " inquit
" Optimi cives, quam latronem istum miserorum
pignorum meorum peremptorem cruci affigatis, per-
mittite corpora necatorum revelari, ut et formae
simul et aetatis contemplatione magis magisque ad
112

lamentation cried out miserably in this manner : " O
right judges, we pray you by the public pity and the
humanity which is due to all, to have mercy upon
these persons so foully slain, and succour our widow-
hood and loss of our dear husband and solace us with
vengeance ; and especially help this poor infant, who
is now an orphan and deprived of all good fortune,
and execute your justice by order and law upon the
blood of this thief who is the occasion of all our
sorrows."

When they had spoken these words, the most
ancient of the judges did rise and say to the people:
" Touching this murder which deserveth great punish-
ment, this malefactor himself cannot deny it : but one
duty further is left us, to enquire and try out
whether he had no coadjutors to help him in this
great crime. For it is not likely that one man alone
could kill three such great and valiant persons :
wherefore the truth must be tried out by the rack,
for the slave that was with him fled secretly away,
and so we must needs put him to the question, that
we may learn what other companions he had, and
root out the nest of these mischievous murderers."
And there was no long delay, for, according to the
custom of Greece, the fire, the wheel, and many other
torments were brought in : then straightway my
sorrow increased or rather doubled, in that I could
not at least end my life with whole and unperished
members. But by and by the old woman, who had
troubled all the court with her howling, implored the
judges, saying : " Before ye send to the gallows this
thief that hath destroyed my wretched children, let
him uncover the bodies which he hath slain, that
every man may see their comely shape and youthful
beauty and be the more enraged thereat, and that he

H IIS

LUCIUS APULEIUS

lustam indignationem arrecti pro modo facinoris
saeviatis."

His dictis applauditur, et illico me magistratus
ipsum iubet corpora, quae lectulo fuerant posita, mea
manu detegere. Luctantem me ac diu renuentem
praecedens facinus instaurare nova ostensione lictores
iuasu magistratuum quam instantissime compellunt,
manum d^nique ipsam e regione lateris tundentes in
exitium suum super ipsa cadavera porrigunt. Evictus
tandem necessitate succumbo, et ingratis licet arrepto
pallio retexi corpora. Di boni, quae facies rei !
Quodmonstrum ! Quae fortunarum mearum repentina
mutatio ! Quamquam enim iam in peculio Proser-
pinae et Orci familia numeratus, subito in contrariam
faciem obstupefactus haesi nee possum novae illius
imaginis ration em idoneis verbis expedire : nam
cadavera ilia iugulatorum hominum erant tres utres
inflati variisque secti foraminibus et, ut vespertinum
proelium meum recordabar, his locis hiantes, quibus
latrones Ulos vulneraveram.

Tune ille quorundam astu paulisper cohibitus risus
libere iam exarsit in plebem : hi gaudii nimietate
gratulari, illi dolorem ventris manuum compressione
sedare, et certe laetitia delibuti meque respectantes
cuncti theatro facessunt. At ego, ut primum illam
laciniam prenderam,fixus in lajndem steti gelidus,nihil
secus quam una de ceteris theatri statuis vel colum-
nis: nee prius ab inferis emersi quam Milo hospes
aceessit et indecta manu me renitentem lacrimisque
114

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

may receive condign and worthy punishment, accord-
ing to the quality of the offence."

Therewithal they were delighted at her words, and
the judge commanded me forthwith to discover the
bodies of the slain that lay upon the bier, with my
own hand ; but when I refused a good space, by
reason I would not anew make my deed apparent to
the eyes of all men, the sergeants charged me by
commandment of the judges, and thrust me forward
to do the same, and forced my hand, to its own un-
doing, from my side over the bier. I then (being
enforced by necessity) though it were against my
will, drew away the pall and uncovered their bodies :
but, O good Lord, what a strange sight did I see !
What a monster! What sudden change of all my
sorrows ! For I, who had seemed as though I were
already one of the house of Proserpina and of the
family of death, could not sufficiently express the
form of this new sight, so far was I amazed and
astonished thereat ; for why ? The bodies of the
three slain men were no bodies, but three blown
bladders, mangled in divers places, and they seemed
to be wounded in those parts where I remembered I
had wounded the thieves the night before.

Then did that laughter, which they had before
artfully concealed, break out exceedingly among the
people. Some rejoiced marvellously with the remem-
brance thereof, some held their stomachs that ached
with joy, but every man delighted at this passing
sport, gazing on me, and so departed out of the
theatre. But I, from the time that I uncovered the
bodies, stood still as one turned to stone and cold as
ice, no otherwise than as the other statues and
pillars there, neither came I up from this hell of
mine, until such time as Milo, mine host, came and

115

LUCIUS APULEIUS

rursum promicantibus crebra singultientem dementi
violentia secum attraxit et observatis viae solitudi-
nibus per quosdam anfractus clomum suam perduxit,
maestumque me atque etiam tune trepidum variis
solatur affatibus ; nee tamen indignationem iniuriae,
quae inhaeserat altius meo pectori, ullo modo permul-
cere quivit.

11 Ecce illico etiam ipsi magistrates cum suis insigni-
bus domum nostram ingressi talibus me monitis
delenire gestiunt : " Neque tuae dignitatis vel etiam
prosapiae tuorum ignari sumus, Luci domine ; nam
et provinciam totam inclitae vestrae familiae nobilitas
complectitur. Ac ne istud quod vehementer inge-
mescis contumeliae causa perpessus es : omnem
itaque de tuo pectore praesentem tristitudinem
mitte, et angorem am'mi depeile, nam lusus iste
quern publice gratissimo deo Risui per annua
r'everticula sollemniter celebramus, semper com-
menti novitate florescit : iste deus et auctorem
suum propitius ubique comitabitur amanter nee
unquam patietur ut ex animo doleas, sed frontem
tuam serena venustate laetabit assidue. At tibi
civitas ornnis pro ista gratia honores egregiosobtulit ;
nam et patronum scripsit et ut in acre stet imago
tua decrevit." Ad haec dicta sermonis vicem refero :
"Tibi quidem " inquam " Splendidissima et unica
Thessaliae civitas, honorum talium parem gratiam
memini. Verum statuas et imagines dignioribus mei-

12que maioribus reservare suadeo." Sic pudenter
,16

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

took me by the hand and with civil violence led me
away weeping and sobbing, whether I would or no ;
and so that I might not be seen, he brought me
through many blind ways and lanes to his house,
where he went about to comfort me, that was sad
and yet fearful, with gentle entreaty of talk ; but he
could in no wise mitigate my impatience of the
injury which I conceived within my mind.

And behold, by and by the very magistrates and
judges, with their ensigns, entered into the house
and endeavoured to pacify me in this sort, saying :
" O Lucius, we are advertised of your dignity, and
know the dignity of your ancient lineage, for the
nobility of your kin do possess the greatest part of
all this province. And think not that you have
suffered the thing wherefore you weep to any
reproach of yours or ignominy ; put away then
all sorrow out of your heart and banish this anguish
of mind: for this day, which we celebrate once a
year in honour of the god Laughter, is always
renowned with some solemn novel prank, and the
god doth everywhere graciously accompany with the
inventor and doer thereof, and he will not suffer that
you should be sorrowful, but he will diligently make
glad your countenance with serene beauty. And
verily all the city, for the grace that is in you, hath
rewarded you with great honours, and hath written
you down their patron: and, further, that your
statue or image shall be set up in copper for a per-
petual remembrance." To whom I answered: "As
for such benefits as I have received already of this
famous city of Thessaly, I yield and render most
entire thanks, but as touching the setting up of any
statues or images, I would wish that they should
be reserved for such as are more worthy and greater

117

LUCIUS APULEIUS

allocutus et paulisper hilaro vultu renidens, quan-
tumque poteram laetiorem me refingens, comiter
abeuntes magistrates appello.

Et ecce quidam intro currens famulus " Rogat
te " ait " Tua parens Byrrhaena et convivii, cui te
sero desponderas, iam appropinquantis admonet."
Ad haec ego formidans et procul perhorrescens
etiam ipsam domum eius, " Quam vellem" inquam
" Parens, iussis tuis obsequium commodare, si per
fidem liceret id facere: hospes enim meus Milo per
hodierni diei praesentissimum numen adiurans effecit,
ut eius hodiernae cenae pignerarer, nee ipse discedit
nee me digredi patitur. Prohinc epulare vadi-
monium difFeramus." Haec adhuc me loquente
manu firmiter iniecta Milo iussis balnearibus assequi
producit ad lavacrum proximum : at ego vitans oculos
omnium et quern ipse fabricaveram risum obviorum
declinans lateri eius adambulabam obtectus, nee qui
laverim, qui terserim, qui domum rursum reverterim
prae rubore memini, sic omnium oculis nutibus ac
deriique manibus denotatus impos animi stupebam.
13 Raptim denique paupertina Milonis cenula per-
functuSj causatusque capitis acrem dolorem, quern
mini lacrimarum assiduitas incusserat, concedo cubi-
tum venia facile tributa, et abiectus in lectulo meo
quae gesta fuerant singula maestus recordabar,
quoad tandem Fotis mea, dominae suae cubitu pro-
118

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

than I." When I had spoken these words somewhat
modestly with a more cheerful countenance, and
shewed myself more merry than I was before, the
judges and magistrates departed, and I reverently
took my leave of them and bade them farewell.

And behold, by and by there came one running to
me in haste, and said : " Sir, your cousin Byrrhaena
desireth you to take the pains, according to your
promise yesternight, to come to supper; for it is
ready." But I, greatly fearing, and shrinking even
afar at the very thought of her house, said unto the
messenger : " My friend, I pray you to tell my
cousin, your mistress, that I would willingly be at
her commandment, but for breaking my troth and
credit. For mine host Milo enforced me to assure
him, and compelled me by the feast of this present
day, that I should pledge me to his dinner and com-
pany, and he goeth not forth nor suffereth me to
depart from him ; wherefore I pray you to excuse me
and to defer my promise until another time." And
while I was speaking these words, Milo took me by
the hand and led me towards the next bath ; but by
the way I went crouching under him to hide myselt
from the sight of men, because I had ministered such
an occasion of laughter. And when I had washed
and wiped myself and returned home again, I never
remembered any such thing, so greatly was I ashamed
at the nodding and pointing of every person.

Then I went to supper with Milo, where God wot
we fared but poorly : wherefore (feigning that my
head did ache by reason of my sobbing and weeping
all the day) I desired license to depart to my chamber,
and so I went to bed, and there I began to call to
mind all the sorrows and griefs that I was in the
day before, until such time as my love Fotis (having

119

LUCIUS APULEIUS

eurato, sui longe dissimilis advenit : non enim laeta
facie nee sermone dicaculo, sed vultuosam frontem
rugis insurgentibus asseverabat. Cunctanter ac
timide denique sermone prolate, "Ego" inquit
"Ipsa confiteor ultro, ego tibi huius molestiae
fui," et cum dicto loruni quempiam sinu suo depromit
mihique porrigens, "Cape," inquit " Oro te, et de
perfida muliere vindictam, immo vero licet maius
quodvis supplicium sume. Nee tamen me putes, oro,
sponte angorem istum tibi concinnasse : di mihi
melius, quam ut mei causa vel tantillum scrupulum
patiare, ac si quid adversi tuum caput respicit, id
omne protinus meo luatur sanguine. Sed quod
alterius rei causa facere iussa sum, mala quadara
14mea sorte in tuam recidit iniuriam." Tune ego
familiaris curiositatis admonitus factique causam
delitescentem nudari gestiens suscipio : " Omnium
quidem nequissimus audacissimusque lorus iste,
quern tibi verberandae destinasti, prius a me con-
cisus atque laceratus interibit ipse quam tuam plu-
meam lacteamque contingat cutem. Sed mihi cum
fide memora, quod tuum factum fati l scaevitas con-
secuta in meum convertit exitium. Adiuro enim
tuum mihi carissimum caput, nulli me prorsus ac ne
tibi quidem ipsi asseveranti posse credere, quod tu
quicquam in meam cogitaveris perniciem : porro
meditatus innoxios casus incertus vel etiam adversus
culpaenon potest addicere." Cum isto fine sermonis
1 A genitive depending on scaevitas seems clearly to have
dropped out of the text. Helm and van der Vliet both print
fortunac, but I have preferred Eohde's fati, as more likely to

120

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

brought her mistress to sleep) came into the chamber
not as she was wont to do, for she seemed nothing
pleasant neither in countenance nor talk, but with a
sour face and frowning look, and began to speak
slowly and fearfully in this sort : " Verily I confess
that I have been the occasion of all thy trouble this
day," and therewithal she pulled out a whip from
under her apron, and delivered it to me, saying :
" Revenge thyself of me, mischievous harlot that I
am, or rather slay me. Yet think not that I did
willingly procure this anguish and sorrow unto you ;
I call the gods to witness. For I had rather suffer
mine own body to be punished than that you should
receive or sustain any harm by my means, but that
which I was bidden to do was wrought for some
other purpose, but behold the unlucky chance for-
tuned on you by mine evil occasion." Then I, very
envious and desirous to know the secret cause of the
matter, answered : "In faith," quoth I, "This most
pestilent and evil-favoured whip (which thou hast
brought to scourge thyself withal) shall first be
broken in a thousand pieces, than it should touch or
hurt thy delicate and dainty skin ; but I pray you
tell me truly what deed of yours has been turned by
the perversity of fortune to my trouble and sorrow.
For I dare swear by the love that I bear unto you
that I will not be persuaded (though you yourself
endeavour the same) that ever you went about to
trouble or harm me : and moreover no chance, though
it be uncertain or even unlucky, can make a crime
of harmless and innocent intentions." When I had
spoken these words, I perceived that Fotis's eyes

disappear by haplography, owing to its resemblance to the
preceding word.

121

LUCIUS APULEIUS

oculos Fotidis meae udos ac tremulos et prona
libidine raarcidos iam iamque semiadopertulos
adnixis et sorbillantibus saviis sitienter haurie-
bam.

15 Sic ilia laetitia recreata " Patere " inquit"Oro,
prius fores cubiculi diligenter occludam, ne sermonis
elapsi profana petulantia committam grande flagi-
tium"; et curn dicto pessulis iniectis et uncino
firmiter immisso, sic ad me reversa colloque meo
manibus ambabus implexa voce tenui et admodum
diminuta, " Paveo " inquit " Et formido solide domus
huius operta detegere et arcana dominae meae reve-
lare secreta : sed melius de te doctrinaque tua prae-
sumo, qui praeter generosam natalium dignitatem,
praeter sublime ingenium, sacris pluribus initiatus
profecto nosti sanctam silentii fidem. Quaecumque
itaque commisero huius religiosi pectoris tui pene-
traiibus, semper haec intra consaeptum clausa cus-
todias oro, et simplicitatem relationis meae tenaci-
tate taciturnitatis tuae remunerare. Nam me, quae
sola mortalium novi, amor is, quo tibi teneor, in-
dicare compellit ; iam scies omnem domus nostrae
statum, iam scies herae meae miranda secreta, quibus
obaudiunt manes, turbantur sidera, coguntur numina,
serviunt elementa.

" Nee unquam magis artis huius violentia nitittir,
quam cum scitulae formulae iuvenem quempiam
libenter aspexit, quod quidem ei solet crebriter eve-

16 nire. Nunc etiam adolescentem quendam Boeotium
122

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

were wet and trembling and dull with desire, and
now half closed, so that I embraced and kissed her
sweetly, and greedily drank therefrom.

Now when she was somewhat restored unto joy
she desired me that she might shut the chamber
door, lest by the intemperance of her tongue in
uttering any unfitting words there might grow further
inconvenience. Wherewithal she barred and propped
the door and came to me again, and embracing me
lovingly about the neck with both her arms, spoke
with a whispering soft voice and said : " I do greatly
fear to discover the privities of this house, and to
utter the secret mysteries of my dame, but I have
such a confidence in you and in your wisdom, by
reason that you are come of so noble a line and
endued with so profound sapience, and further in-
structed in so many holy and divine things that you
will faithfully keep silence, and that whatsoever I
shall reveal or declare unto you, you would close
them within the bottom of your heart, and never
discover the same, but rather repay the simple tale
that I shall tell you by keeping it utterly hidden
and dark ; for I ensure you the love that I bear you
enforceth me, that alone of mortals know aught
thereof, to utter it. Now shall you know all the
estate of our house, now shall you know the hidden
secrets of my mistress, unto which the powers of hell
do obey, and by which the celestial planets are
troubled, the gods made weak, and the elements
subdued.

" Neither is the violence of her art in more
strength and force than when she espieth some
comely young man that pleaseth her fancy, as often-
times happeneth. For now she loveth to distraction
one young Boeotian, a fair and beautiful person, on

123

LUCIUS APULEIUS

summe decorum efflictim deperit totasque artis manus,
machinas omnes ardenter exercet : audivi vesperi,
meis his, inquam, auribus audivi, quod non celerius
sol caelo ruisset noctique ad exercendas illecebras
raagiae maturius cessisset, ipsi soli nubilam caliginem
et perpetuas tenebras comminantem. Hunc iuve-
nem, cum e balneis rediret ipsa, tonstrinae residen-
tem hesterna die forte conspexit, ac me capillos eius,
qui iam caede cultrorum desecti humi iacebant,
clanculo praecepit J auferre : quos me sedulo furtim-
que colligentem tonsor invenit, et quod alioquin
publicitus maleficae disciplinae perinfames sumus,
arreptam inclementer increpat : e Tune, ultima, non
cessas subinde lectorum iuvenum capillamenta surri-
pere ? Quod scelus nisi tandem desines, magistra-
tibus te constanter obiciam.' Et verbum facto secuttu
immissa manu scrutatus e mediis papillis meis iam
capillos absconditos iratus abripuit : quo gesto gravi-
ter affecta mecumque reputans dominae meae mores,
quod huiusmodi repulsa satis acriter commoveri me-
que verberare saevissime consuevit, iam de fuga con-
silium tenebam, sed istud quidem tui contemplatione
1? abieci statim. Verum cum tristis inde discederem,
conspicio quendam forficulis attondentem caprinos
utres ; quos cum probe constrictos inflatosque et iam
pendentes cernerem, ne prorsus vacuis inanibus re-
direm,2 capillos eorum humi iacentes, flavos ac per hoc

1 Theemendationof Scioppiusforthe MSS' praecipitavitferre.

2 These five words occur in the MSS after discederem at the
beginning of the chapter. Their transposition here (suggested
by van der Vliet) seems necessary.

124

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

whom she employeth all her sorcery and enchant-
ment ; and I heard her threaten with mine own ears
yesternight, that because the sun had not then
presently gone down and the night come to minister
convenient time to work her magical enticement, she
would veil the same sun with a thick shadow of cloud
and bring perpetual darkness over all the world.
And you shall know that when she saw yesternight
this Boeotian sitting at the barber's, when she came
from the baths, she secretly commanded me to
gather some of the hair of his head which lay dis-
persed upon the ground, and to bring it home ;
which when I thought to have done, gathering it up
secretly with care, the barber espied me, and by
reason it was bruited throughout all the city that
we were witches and enchantresses, he seized upon
me and cried out, and chid me, saying : ' Will you
never leave off stealing of handsome young men's
hairs ? In faith I assure you, unless you cease your
wicked sorceries, I will complain to the justices.'
Wherewithal he came angrily towards me and took
away the hair which I had gathered out of mine
apron, which grieved me very much. For 1 knew
my mistress's manners, that she would not be con-
tented, but beat me cruelly. Wherefore I intended
to run away, but the remembrance of you put
always that thought out of my mind, and so I
came homeward very sorrowful ; but because I
would not seem to come in my mistress's sight
with empty hands, I saw a man shearing of
blown goat-skins. Now these were well tied up
and blown out, and were hanging up, and the hair
he had shorn off was yellow, and much resembled

125

LUCIUS APULEIUS

illi Boeotio iuveni consimiles, plusculos aufero eosque
dominae meae dissimulata veritate trado.

" Sic noctis initio, priusquam cena te reciperes,
Pamphile mea iam vecors animi tectam scandulare
conscendit, quod altrinsecus aedium patore perflabili
nudatum ad omnes, orientales ceterosque, aspectus
pervium,, maxime his artibus suis commodatum,
secreto colit, priusque apparatu solito instruit
feralem officinam, omne genus aromatis, et ignora-
biliter laminis litteratis et infelicium avium duran-
tibus damnis,defletorum sepultorum etiam cadaverum
expositis multis admodum membris : hie nares et
digiti, illic carnosi clavi pendentium, alibi trucidat-
orum servatus cruor et extorta dentibus ferarum
18 trunca calvaria. Tune, decantatis spirantibus
fibris, litat vario latice, nunc rore fontano, nunc lacte
vaccino, nunc melle montano, libat et mulsa. Sic
illos capillos in mutuos nexus obditos atque nodatos
cum multis odoribus dat vivis carbonibus adolendos :
tune protinus inexpugnabili magicae disciplinae
potestate et caeca numinum coactorum violeiitia ilia
corpora, quorum fumabant stridentes capilli, spiritum
mutuantur humanum et sentiunt et audiunt et am-
bulant, et qua nidor suarum ducebat exuviarum
veniunt et pro illo iuvene Boeotio aditum gestientes
fores insiliunt ; cum ecce crapula madens et impro-
vidae noctis deceptus caligine, audacter mucrone
destricto in insani modum Aiacis armatus, non ut ille
vivis pecoribus infestus tota laniavit armenta, sed
longefortius^quitres inflates caprinos utres exanimasti,

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

the hair of the Boeotian : and I took a good deal
thereof, and dissembling the truth I brought it to
my mistress.

" And so when night came, before your return from
supper, Pamphile my mistress, being now out of her
wits, went up to a high gallery of her house, blown
upon by all the winds of heaven, opening to the east
and all other parts of the world ; well prepared for
these her practices, she gathered together all her
accustomed substance for fumigations, she brought
forth plates of metal carved with strange characters,
she prepared the bones of birds of ill-omen, she made
ready the members of dead men brought from their
tombs. Here she set out their nostrils and fingers,
there the nails with lumps of flesh of such as were
hanged, the blood which she had reserved of such as
were slain, and skulls snatched away from the jaws
and teeth of wild beasts. Then she said certain
charms over entrails still warm and breathing, and
dipped them in divers waters, as in well water, cow
milk, mountain honey and mead ; which when she
had done she tied and lapped up the hair together,
and with many perfumes and smells threw it into a
hot fire to burn. Then by the strong force of this
sorcery, and the invisible violence of the gods so
compelled, those bodies, whose hair was burning in
the fire, received human breath, and felt, heard, and
walked, and, smelling the scent of their own hair,
came and rapped at our doors instead of the Boeotian.
Then came you being well tippled, and deceived by
the obscurity of the night, and drew out your sword
courageously, like furious Ajax, and killed, not as he
did whole herds of living beasts, but three blown
skins, a deed more brave than his, to the intent that

after the slaughter of so many enemies without

127

ski

1

LUCIUS APULEIUS
ut ego te prostratis hostibus sine macula sanguinis
non homicidam nunc sed utricidam amplecterer."
19 Et sic lepido sermone Fotis, at invicem cavillatus
ego " Igitur iam et ipse possum " inquam " Mihi
primam istam virtutis adoream ad exemplum duodeni
laboris Herculei numerare, vel trigemino corpori
Geryonis vel triplici formae Cerberi, totidem peremp-
tos utres coaequando. Sed ut ex animo tibi volens
omne delictum, quo me tantis angoribus implicasti,
remittam, praesta quod summis votis expostulo et
dominam tuam, cum aliquid huius divinae disci-
plinae molitur, ostende, cum deos invocat, certe cum
reformatur, ut videam : sum namque coram magiae
noscendae ardentissimus cupitor, quamquam mihi nee
ipsa tu videare rerum rudis vel expers. Scio istud
et plane sentio, cum semper alioquin spretorem
matronalium amplexuum, sic tuis istis micantibus
oculis et rubentibus bucculis et renidentibus crinibus
et hiantibus osculis et fragrantibus papillis in ser-
vilem modum addictum atque mancipatum teneas
volentem: iam denique nee Larem require nee
domuitionem paro et nocte ista nihil antepono."
20 " Quam vellem " respondit ilia, " Praestare tibi,
Luci, quod cupis, sed propter invidos mores in solitu-
dinem semper abstrusa et omnium praesentia viduata
solet huiusmodi secreta perficere. Sed tuum postu-
latum praeponam periculo meo idque observatis
1£8

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

effusion of blood, might embrace and kiss not an
homicide, but an utricide."

Thus pleasantly Fotis, but I again mocked and
taunted her, saying : " Verily now may I for this first
achieved enterprise be numbered with Hercules, who
by his valiant prowess performed the twelve notable
labours, as Geryon with three bodies, and as Cerberus
with three heads : for I have slain three blown goat-
skins. But to the end I may pardon thee with all my
heart of that which thou hast committed, bringing
upon me so much grief and pain, perform the thing
which I shall most earnestly desire of thee, that is,
bring me that I may see and behold when thy
mistress goes about any sorcery or enchantment,
and when she prays unto her gods, but most of all
when she changes her form, for I am very desirous of
knowing more closely that art of magic, and as it
seems unto me, thou thyself hast some experience
in the same. For this I know and plainly feel, that
(whereas I have always irked and loathed the em-
bracings and love even of noble matrons) I am so
stricken and subdued with thy shining eyes, ruddy
cheeks, glittering hair, close kisses, and sweet-smell-
ing breasts, that thou boldest me bound and tied to
thee like a slave with my own goodwill, and I neither
have mind to go home, nor to depart hence, but
esteem the pleasure I shall have with thee this night
above all the joys of the world." " Then," quoth she,
"O my Lucius, how willing would I be to fulfil your
desire, but besides that she is of a grudging and
surly disposition, she gets herself into solitary places
and out of the presence of every person when she
mindeth to make her enchantments ; howbeit I re-
gard more to gratify your request than I do esteem
the danger of my life : and I will look for oppor-
i 129

LUCIUS APULEIUS

opportunis temporibus sedulo perficiana,modo,ut initio
praefata sum, rei tantae fidem silentiumque tribue."
Sic nobis garrientibus libido mutua et animos siraul
et membra suscitat : omnibus abiectis amiculis ac
tandem1 denique intecti atque nudati bacchamur in
Venerem, cum quidem mihi iam fatigato de propria
liberalitate Fotis puerile obtulit corollarium, iamque
luminibus nostris vigilia marcidis iiifusus sopor etiam
in altum diem nosattinuit.

21 Ad hunc modum transactis voluptarie paucis
noctibus, quadam die percita Fotis ac satis trepida
me accurrit indicatque dominam suam, quod nihil
etiam tune in suos amores ceteris artibus promoveret,
nocte proxima in avem sese plumaturam atque ad
suum cupitum sic devolaturam ; proin memet ad rei
tantae speculam caute praepararem. Iamque circa
primam noctis vigiliam ad illud superius cubiculum
suspenso et insono vestigio me perducit ipsa, perque
rimam ostiorum quampiam iubet arbitrari quae sic
gesta sunt. Iam primum omnibus laciniis se devestit
Pamphile et arcula quadam reclusa pyxides plusculas
inde depromit, de quis unius operculo remoto atque
indidem egesta unguedine diuque palmulis suis
affricta ab imis unguibus sese totam adusque
summos capillos perlinit, multumque cum lucerna
secreto collocuta membra tremulo succussu quatit :
quis leniter fluctuantibus promicant mollesplumulae,
crescunt et fortes pinnulae, duratur nasus incurvus,
coguntur ungues adunci, fit bubo Pamphile. Sic
edito stridore querulo, iam sui periclitabunda pau-

1 The MSS have actenus, which was naturally read hactenus
by the old editors. Ae tandem is Helm's emendation, which
gives much better sense — hactenus, indeed, is almost the opposite
of what is required.

130

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

tunity and time for that which you desire, but always
upon this condition, that, as I bade you before, you
secretly keep close such things as are done." Thus
as we reasoned together the courage of Venus assailed
as well our desires as our members ; and so she un-
rayed herself and came to me, and we spent the
night in pastime and dalliance, and Fotis giving
me all that she might and more, at last drowsy
and unlusty sleep came upon our eyes and we
were constrained to lie still until it was now high
day.

Now when we had thus delightfully passed a few
nights on this wise, on a day Fotis came running to
me in great trembling and said that her mistress, for
that she could not any the more gain towards that she
loved, intended, the night following, to transform
herself into a bird, and to fly to him she desired ;
wherefore she willed me privily to prepare myself to
see the same. And about the first watch of the
night she led me, walking a-tiptoe and very softly,
into that high chamber, and bade me look through
the chink of a door. Where first I saw how Pamphile
put off all her garments, and took out of a certain coffer
sundry kind of boxes, of the which she opened one and
tempered the ointment therein with her fingers, and
then rubbed her body therewith from the sole of the
foot to the crown of the head : and when she had
spoken much privily with the lamp, she shaked all
the parts of her body, and as they gently moved
behold I perceived a plume of feathers did burgeon
out upon them, strong wings did grow, her nose
was more crooked and hard, her nails turned into
claws, and so Pamphile became an owl : then she
cried and screeched like a bird of that kind, and

illing to prove her force, moved herself from the

131

LUCIUS APULEIUS

latim terra resultat, mox in altum sublimata forin-
secus totis alis evolat.

22 Et ilia quidem magicis suis artibus volens re-
formatur, at ego, nullo decantatus carmine, praesentis
tantum facti stupore defixus quidvis aliud magis
videbar esse quam Lucius, sic exterminatus animi,
attonitus in amentiam vigilans somniabar ; defrictis
adeo diu pupulis an vigilarem scire quaerebam.
Tandem denique reversus ad sensum praesentium,
arrepta manu Fotidis et admota meis luminibus,
" Patere, oro te," inquam " Dum dictat occasio, magno
et singular! me afFectionis tuae fructu perfrui et
impertire nobis unctulum indidem, per istas tuas
papillas, mea mellitula, tuumque mancipium irre-
munerabili beneficio sic tibi perpetuo pignera, ac iam
perfice ut meae Veneri Cupido pinnatus assistam
tibi." " Ain ? " inquit " Vulpinaris amasio, meque
sponte asceam cruribus meis illidere compellis ? Sic
inermem vix a lupulis conserve Thessalis ; hunc
23 alitem factum ubi quaeram, videbo quando ? " " At
niihi scelus istud depellant caelites," inquam "Ut
ego quamvis ipsius aquilae sublimis volatibus toto
caelo pervius et supremi lovis certus nuntius vel
laetus armiger, tamen non ad meum nidulum post
illam pinnarum dignitatem subinde devolem ! Adiuro
per dulcem istum capilli tui nodulum, quo meum
vinxisti spiritum, me nullam aliam meae Fotidi malle.
Tune etiam istud meis cogitationibus occurrit, cum

f-.

132

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK lit

ground by little and little, till at last she leaped up
and flew quite away.

Thus by her sorcery she transformed her body
into what shape she would, which when I saw I was
greatly astonished, and although I was enchanted
by no kind of charm, yet I thought I seemed not to
have the likeness of Lucius, for so was 1 vanished
from my senses, amazed in madness, that I dreamed
waking, and felt mine eyes to know whether I were
asleep or no. But when I was come again to myself,
I took Fotis by the hand, and moved it to mine
eyes, and said : " I pray thee, while occasion doth
serve, that I may have the fruition of the fruits of
thy love towards me, and grant me some of this oint-
ment. O Fotis, my honey, I pray thee by thy sweet
breasts, and I will ever hereafter be bound unto you
by a mighty gift and obedient to your commandment,
if you will but make that I may be turned into a
bird, and stand, like Cupid with his wings, beside
you my Venus." Then said Fotis : " Will you go
about to deceive me now, my love, like a fox, and
enforce me to work mine own sorrow P1 Do I hardly
now save you, that are without defence, from these
she-wolves of Thessaly, and then if you be a bird
where shall I seek you ? And when shall I see you ? "
Then answered I : "God forbid that I should commit
such a crime, for though I could fly into the air as
an eagle, or though 1 were the sure messenger or
joyful armour-bearer of Jupiter, yet would I have
recourse to nest with thee for all that glory of wings :
and I swear by the knot of thy amiable hair, that
wherewith you have fast bound my spirit, I love not
any other person rather than Fotis. " Moreover, this
cometh to my mind, that if by virtue of the ointment
1 Lit. " to apply the axe to my owu legs."

iff

LUCIUS APULEIUS

semel avem talem perunctus induero, domus omnes
procul me vitare debere : quam pulchro enim quam-
que festive matronae perfruentur amatore bubone !
Quid, quod istas nocturnas aves, cum penetraverint
Larem quempiam, sollicite prehensas foribus videmus
affigi ut, quod infaustis volatibus familiae minantur
exitium, suis luant cruciatibus ? Sed, quod sciscitari
paene praeterivi, quo dicto factove rursum exutis
pinnulis illis ad meum redibo Lucium?" « Bono
animo es quod ad huius rei curam pertinet" ait.
< Nam mihi domina singula monstravit, quae possunt
rursus in fades hominum tales figuras reformare : nee
istud factum putes ulla benivolentia, sed ut ei re-
deunti medela salubri possem subsistere. Specta
denique quam parvis quamque futilibus tanta res pro-
curetur herbulis : anethi modicum cum lauri foliis im-
missum rore fontano datur lavacrum et poculum."
24 Haec identidem asseverans summa cum trepida-
tione irrepit cubiculum et pyxidem depromit arcula ;
quam ego amplexus ac deosculatus prius, utque mihi
prosperis faveret volatibus deprecatus, abiectis pro-
pere laciniis totis, avide manus immersi et haurito
plusculo uncto corporis mei membra perfricui. lam-
que alternis conatibus libratis brachiis in avem si-
milem gestiebam : nee ullae plumulae nee usquam
pmnulae, sed plane pili mei crassantur in saetas, sed
cutis tenelk duratur in corium et in extimis palmulis

1 O%

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

I shall become a bird, I will take heed that I come
nigh no man's house : for how prettily and wittily
would these matrons handle their lovers if they were
owls : for when they fly into any place by night and
are taken, they are nailed upon posts, and so they
are worthily rewarded with torment because it is
thought that they bring evil fortune to the house by
their ill-omened flight. But I pray you (which I had
almost forgotten) tell me by what means, when I am
an owl, I shall return to my pristine shape and
become Lucius again ? " " Fear not for that," quoth
she, " For my mistress hath taught me the way to bring
all to pass, and to turn again the figures of such as are
transformed into the shapes of men. Neither think you
she did it for any goodwill or favour to me, but to the
end I might help her and minister this remedy to her
when she returneth home. Consider, I pray you, with
yourself, with what frivolous trifles and herbs so mar-
vellous a thing is wrought, for I give her nothing
else, save a little dill and laurel-leaves in well-
water, the which she drinketh, and washeth herself
withal."

Which when she had often spoken she went all
trembling into the chamber, and took a box out of
the coffer, which I first kissed and embraced, and
prayed that I might have good success in my pur-
pose to fly. And then I put off all my garments
and greedily thrust my hand into the box and took
out a good deal of ointment, and after that I had
well rubbed every part and member of my body, 1
hovered with mine arms, and moved myself, looking
still when I should be changed into a bird as Parn-
phile was ; and behold neither feathers did burgeon
out nor appearance of wings, but verily my hair did
turn into ruggedness and my tender skin wore tough

135

LUCIUS APULEIUS

perdito numero toti digiti coguntur in singulas un-
gulas et de spinae meae termino graridis cauda pro-
cedit : iam facies enormis et os prolixum et nares
hiantes et labiae pendulae, sic et aures immodicis
horripilant auctibus ; nee. ullum miserae reforma-
tionis video solacium nisi quod mihi iam nequeunti
25 tenere Fotidem natura crescebat. Ac dum salutis
inopia cuncta corporis mei considero, non avem me
sed asinum video, querens de facto Fotidis, sed iam
hutnano gestu simul et voce pi-ivatus, quod solum
poteram, postrema deiecta labia humidis tamen oculis
obliquum respiciens ad illam tacitus expostulabam.
Quae ubi primum me talem aspexit, percussit faciem
suam manibus infestis, et " Occisa sum misera " cla-
mavit : " Me trepidatio simul et festinatio fefellit et
pyxidum similitudo decepit. Sed bene, quod facilior
reformationis huius medela suppeditat ; nam rosis
tantum demorsitatis exibis asinum statimque in
meum Lucium postliminio redibis. Atque utinam
vesperi de more nobis parassem corollas aliquas, ne
moram talem patereris vel noctis unius : sed primo
diluculo remedium festinabitur tibi."
26 Sic ilia maerebat, ego vero quamquam perfectus
asinus et pro Lucio iumentum sensum tamen retine-
bam humanum. Diu denique ac multum mecum
ipse deliberavi an nequissimam facinerosissimamque
feminam illam spissis calcibus feiiens et mordicus
136

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK lit

and hard; my fingers and toes leaving the numbet
of five grew together into hooves, and from the end
of my back grew a great tail, and now my face
became monstrous and my mouth long and my
nostrils wide, my lips hanging down, and mine ears
exceedingly increased with bristles ; neither could
I see any comfort of my transformation, save that
the nature of my members was increasing likewise
to the great discomfiture of Fotis, and so with-
out all help (viewing every part of my poor
body) I perceived that I was no bird, but a plain
ass. Then I thought to blame Fotis, but being
deprived as Avell of language as human gesture,
I did all that I could, and looked upon her with
hanging lips and watery eyes, as though to re-
proach her ; but she (as soon as she espied me in
such sort) smote her face angrily with her hands and
cried out : " Alas, poor wretch that I am, I am
utterly cast away. The fear that I was in and my
haste hath beguiled me, but especially the mistaking
of the box hath deceived me. But it matters not so
much, since sooner a medicine may be gotten for
this than for any other thing : for if thou couldst
get roses and eat them, thou shouldst be delivered
from the shape of an ass, and become my Lucius
again. And would to God I had gathered some
garlands this evening past according to my custom ;
then shouldst thou not have continued an ass one
night's space : but in the morning I will seek thee
this remedy."

Thus Fotis lamented in pitiful sort, but I that was
now a perfect ass, and for Lucius a brute beast, did
yet retain the sense and understanding of a man.
And I did devise a good space with myself, whether
it were best for me to kill this mischievous and

137

LUCIUS APULEIUS
appetens necare deberem : sed ab incepto temerario
melior me sententia revocavit, ne morte multata
Fotide salutares mihi suppetias rursus extinguerem.
Deiecto itaque et quassanti capite ac demussata tem-
poral! contumelia durissimo casui meo serviens ad
equum ilium vectorem meum probissimum in stabu-
lum concedo, ubi alium etiam Milonis quondam hos-
pitis mei asinum stabulantem inveni ; atque ego rebar,
si quod inesset mutis animalibus taciturn ac naturale
sacramentum, agnitione ac miseratione quadam in-
ductum equum ilium meum hospitium ac loca lautia
mihi praebiturum : sed pro lupiter hospitalis et
Fidei secreta numina ! Praeclarus ille vector meus
cum asino capita conferunt in meamque perniciem
illico consentiunt et, verentes scilicet cibariis suis,
vix me praesepio videre proximantem ; deiectis auri-
bus iam furentes infestis calcibus insequuntur, et
abigor quam procul ab hordeo quod apposueram
vesperi meis manibus illi gratissimo famulo.
27 Sic affectus atque in solitudinem relegatus arigulo
stabuli concesseram, dumquede insolentiacollegarum
meorum mecum cogito atque in alterum diem auxilio
rosario Lucius denuo futurus equi perfidi vindictam
meditor, respicio pilae mediae, quae stabuli trabes
sustinebat, in ipso fere meditullio Eponae deae simu-
lacrum residens aediculae, quod accurate corollis
roseis equidem recentibus fuerat ornatum. Denique
138

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

wicked harlot by tearing her with my mouth and
kicking her with my heels. But a better thought
reduced me from so rash a purpose, for I feared lest
by the death of Fotis I should be deprived of all
remedy and help. Then drooping and shaking my
head, and dissimulating my ire for the nonce, and
bending to my adversity, I went into the stable to my
own good horse that once carried me, where I found
another ass of Milo's sometime mine host, and I did
verily think that my own horse (if there were any
natural conscience or faithfulness in brute beasts)
would know me and take pity upon me, and proffer
me a good lodging for that night. But fie upon
Jupiter that is the god of hospitality and the secret
divinity of Faith ! For see, my good horse and the
ass as it were consented together to work my harm lest
I should eat up their provender, and scarce did they
see me come nigh the manger, but they put down
their ears and kicked me with their heels from their
meat, which I myself had given that grateful servant
of mine, the horse, the night before.

Then I, being thus handled by them and driven
away, got me into a corner of the stable, where
(while 1 remembered the uncourtesy of my colleagues,
and how on the morrow I should return to Lucius by
the help of a rose, and then revenge myself on my
own horse) I fortuned to espy, on the midmost pillar
sustaining the rafters of the stable, the image of the
goddess Epona,1 in the midst thereof in a small shrine
which was prettily garnished and decked round about
nth fair fresh roses; then in hope of a present remedy
leaped up with my fore feet as high as I could, and

retching out my neck and lengthening my lips, I
>veted exceedingly to snatch some roses. But in an
1 The patron goddess of horses and stables.

139

agnito salutari praesidio, pronus spei, quantum ex-
tensis prioribus pedibus anniti poteram, insurgo valide
et cervice prolixa nimiumque porrectis labiis, quanto
maxima nisu poteram corollas appetebam. Quod me
pessima scilicet sorte conantem servulus meus, cui
semper equi cura mandata fuerat, repente conspiciens,
indignatus exsurgit, et " Quousque tandem" inquit,
"Cantherium patiemur istum paulo ante cibariis
iumentorum, nunc etiam simulacris deorum infestum ?
Quin iam ego istum sacrilegum debilem claudumque
reddam," et statim telum aliquod quaeritans temere
fascem lignorum positum offendit, rimatusque fron-
dosum fustem cunctis vastiorem non prius miserum
me tundere desiit, quam sonitu vehementi et largo
strepitu percussis ianuis, trepido etiam rumore viciniae
conclamatis latronibus profugit territus.
28 Nee mora, cum vi patefactis aedibus globus latro-
num invadit omnia, et singula domus membra cingit
armata factio, et auxiliis hinc inde convolantibus
obsistit discursus hostilis : cuncti gladiis et facibus
instruct! noctem illuminant ; coruscat in modum
ortivi solis ignis et mucro. Tune horreum quoddam
satis validis claustris obsaeptum obseratumque, quod
mediis aedibus constitutum gazis Milonis fuerat re-
fertum, securibus validis aggressi diffindunt, quo
passim recluso totas opes vehunt raptimque con-
strictis sarcinis singuli partiuntur. Sed gestaminum
modus numerum gerulorum excedit : tune opulentiae
nimiae nimio ad extremas incitas deducti, nos duos
asinos et equum meum productos e stabulo quantum
140

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

evil hour did I go about that enterprise, for behold,
the boy to whom I gave always charge of my horse
suddenly spied me and ran in great anger towards me,
and said : " How long shall we suffer this vile ass,
that doth not only eat up his fellows' meat, but also
would spoil the images of the gods ? Why do I not
make lame and weak this wretch ? " Therewithal
looking about for some cudgel, he espied where
lay a faggot of wood, and choosing out a crabbed
truncheon of the biggest he could find, did never
cease beating of me, poor wretch, until such time as
by great noise and rumbling, he heard the doors of
the house burst open, and the neighbours crying
" Thieves" in lamentable sort, so that, being stricken
in fear, he fled away.

And by and by the doors were broken down and a
troop of thieves entered in, and kept every part and
corner of the house with weapons. And as men re-
sorted to aid and help them which were within the
doors, the thieves resisted and kept them back, for
each one was armed with his sword and a torch in his
hand, the glimpses whereof did yield out such light
as if it had been day. Then they broke open with
their axes a great chest shut and sealed with double
locks, wherein was laid in the middle of the house
all the treasures of Milo, and ransacked the same ;
which when they had done, they packed it up and
gave every one a portion to carry ; but when they
had more bags to bear away than men to carry them,
they were at their wits' end for the abundance of all

is exceeding wealth, and so they came into the stable
nd took us two poor asses and my horse and loaded
with the greatest trusses that we were able to bear.

nd when we were out of the house, they followed

d threatened us with greet staves, and willed one of

141

potest gravioribus sarcinis onerant et domo iam vacua
minantes baculis exigunt, unoque de sociis ad specu-
landum, qui de facinoris inquisitione nuntiaret, relicto,
nos crebra tundentes per avia montium ducunt con-
citos.

29 lamque rerum tantarum pondere et mentis ardui
vertice et prolixo satis itinere nihil a mortuo differe-
bam. Sed mihi sero quidem, serio tamen subvenit
ad auxilium civile decurrere et interposito venerabili
principis nomine tot aerumnis me liberare : cum
denique iam luce clarissima vicum quempiam fre-
quentem et nundinis celebrem praeteriremus, inter
ipsas turbelas, Graecorum genuine sermone nomen
augustum Caesaris invocare temptavi, et " O " quidem
tantum disertum ac validum clamitavi, reliquum
autem Caesaris nomen enuntiare non potui : aspernati
latrones clamorem absonum meum, caedentes hinc
inde miserum corium nee cribris iam idoneum relin-
quunt. Sed tandem mihi inopinatam salutem lupiter
ille tribuit : nam cum multas villulas et casas amplas
praeteriremus, hortulum quendam prospexi satis
amoenum, in quo praeter ceteras gratas herbulas
rosae virgines matutino rore florebant. His inhians
et spe salutis alacer ac laetus propius accessi, dumque
iam labiis undantibus affecto, consilium me subit
longe salubrius, ne si rursum asino remoto prodirem
in Lucium, evidens exitium inter manus latronum
offenderem vel artis magicae suspectione vel indicii
futuri criminatione. Tune igitur a rosis, et quidem
necessario, temperavi, et casum praesentem tolerans
in asini faciem faena rodebam.

142

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK III

their fellows to tarry behind and bring them tidings
what was done concerning the robbery, and so they
beat us forward over great hills out of the high way.
But I, what with my heavy burden and the steep
side of the mountain, and my long journey, did
nothing differ from a dead ass ; wherefore I deter-
mined with myself, though late yet in good earnest,
to seek some remedy of the civil power, and by
invocation of the awful name of the Emperor to be
delivered from so many miseries. And on a time
when it was high day, as I passed through a village
of much people, where was a great fair, I came
amongst a multitude, and I thought to call upon the
renowned name of the Emperor in that same Greek
tongue, and I cried out cleverly and aloud, " O,"
but " Caesar " I could in no wise pronounce : but the
thieves, little regarding my unmusical crying, did lay
on and beat my wretched skin in such sort, that after
it was neither apt nor meet for leather nor sieves.
Howbeit, at last Jupiter ministered unto me an
unhoped remedy. For when we had passed by many
farms and great houses, I fortuned to espy a pleasant
garden, wherein, besides many other flowers of
delectable hue, were new and fresh roses that dripped
with the morning dew, and gaping on these (being very
joyful and brisk to catch some as I passed by) I drew
nearer and nearer. Now while my lips watered upon
them, I thought of a better advice more profitable for

ic : lest if from being an ass I should become Lucius
lin, I might fall into the hands of the thieves,

id either by suspicion that I were some witch, or

>r fear that I would utter their theft, I should be slain
'a surety ; wherefore I abstained for that time, for it
is needful, from eating of the roses, and (enduring

iiy present adversity) I ate hay as other asses did.

H3

LIBER IV

1 DIEM ferme circa medium, cum iam flagrantia soils
caleretur, in pago quodam apud notos ac familiares
latronibus senes devertimus ; sic enim primus aditus
et sermo prolixus et oscula mutua, quamvis asino,
sentire praestabant : nam et rebus eos quibusdarn
dorso meo depromptis munerabantur, et secretis
gannitibus, quod essent latrocinio partae, videbantur
indicare. lamque nos omni sarcina levigates in
pratum proximum passim libero pastui tradidere, nee
me cum asino vel equo meo compascuus coetus
attinere potuit adhuc insolitum alioquin prandere
faenum ; sed plane pone stabulum prospectum hortu-
lum iam fame perditus fidenter invado et, quamvis
crudis holeribus, affatim tamen ventrem sagino,
deosque comprecatus omnes cuncta prospectabam
loca, sicubi forte conterminis in hortulis candens
repperirem rosarium. Nam et ipsa solitudo iam mihi
bonam fiduciam tribuebat, si devius et frutectis
absconditus sumpto remedio de iumenti quadripedis
incurvo gradu rursum erectus in hominem, inspec-
tante nullo, resurgerem.

2 Ergo igitur cum in isto cogitationis salo fluctuarem,
aliquanto longius video frondosi nemoris convallem
144

BOOK IV

WHEN noon was come, and now the broiling heat of
the sun had most power, we turned into a village to
certain old men of the thieves' acquaintance and
friends, for verily their meeting and embracing
together did give me (poor ass) cause to deem the
same : and they took the truss from my back, and
gave them part of the treasure that was in it, and
they seemed to whisper and tell them that it was
stolen goods ; and after that we were unladen of our
burdens they let us loose into a meadow to pasture,
but I would not feed there with my own horse and
Milo's ass, for that I was not wont to eat hay, but I
must seek my dinner in some other place. Where-
fore I leaped into a garden which was behind the
stable, and being well nigh perished with hunger,
although I could find nothing there but raw and
green salads, yet I filled my hungry guts therewithal
abundantly, and praying unto all the gods, I looked
about in every place if I could espy any roses in the
gardens by, and my solitary being alone did put me
in good hope, that if I could find any remedy, being
far from the public road and hidden by the bushes, I
should presently out of the low gait of a beast be
changed out of every one's sight into a man walking
upright.

Now while I tossed on the flood of these cogita-
tions, I looked about, and behold I saw afar off a
K 145

LUCIUS APULEIUS

umbrosam, cuius inter varias herbulas et laetissima
virecta fulgentium rosarum mineus color renidebat :
iamque apud mea non usquequaque feriria prae-
cordia Veneris et Gratiarum lucum ilium arbitra-
bar, cuius inter opaca secreta floris genialis regius
nitor relucebat. \ Tune invocato hilaro atque pro-
spero Eventu cursu me concito proripio, ut Hercule
ipse sentirem non asiiium me, verum etiam equum
currulem nimio velocitatis refectum. Sed agilis atque
praeclarus ille conatus fortunae meae scaevitatem
anteire non potuit ; iam enim loco proximus non
illas rosas teneras et amoenas, madidas divini roris et
nectaris, quas rubi felices beatae spinae generant, at
ne convallem quidem usquam, nisi tantum ripae
fluvialis marginem densis arboribus saeptam video :
hae arbores in lauri faciem prolixe foliatae pariunt in
modum floris inodori porrectos caliculos modice puni-
cantes, quos equidem fragrantes minime rurestri
vocabulo vulgus indoctum rosas laureas appellant,
3 quarumque cuncto pecori cibus letalis est. Talibus
fatis implicitus et iam ipsam saluternrecusans sponte
illud venenum rosarium sumere gestiebam ; sed dum
cunctanter accedo decerpere, iuvenis quidam, ut
mihi videbatur, hortulanus, cuius omnia prorsus
holera vastaveram, tanto damno cognito, cum grandi
baculo furens decurrit, arreptumque me totum plagis
obtundit adusque vitae ipsius periculum, nisi tandem
sapienter alioquin ipse mihi tulissem auxilium : nam
lumbis elevatis in altuni, pedum posterioribus calci-
U6

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

shadowed valley adjoining to a wood, where, amongst
divers other herbs and pleasant verdures, I thought
I saw many flourishing roses of bright damask colour.
So that I said within my mind, which was not wholly
bestial : " Verily the place is the grove of Venus and
the Graces, where secretly glittereth the royal hue
of so lively and delectable a flower." Then I, desiring
the help of the god of good fortune, ran lustily
towards the wood, in so much that I felt myself no
more an ass but a swift-coursing horse, but my agility
and quickness could not prevent the cruelty of my
fortune ; for when I came to the place, I perceived
that they were no roses neither tender nor pleasant,
neither moistened with the heavenly drops of dew
nor celestial liquor, which grow out of the rich
thicket and thorns. Neither did I perceive that
there was any valley at all, but only the bank of the
river environed with great thick trees, which had
long branches like unto laurel, and bear a flower
without any manner of scent but somewhat red of
hue, and the common people call them by the name
of laurel-roses, which are very poisonous to all manner
of beasts. Then was I so entangled with unhappy
fortune, that I little esteemed mine own life, and
went willingly to eat of those roses, though I knew
them to be present poison. But as I drew near very
slowly, I saw a young man that seemed to be the
gardener come upon me, the same that I had
devoured up all his herbs in the garden, and he,
knowing now full well his great loss, came swearing
with a great staff in his hand, and laid upon me in
such sort that I was well nigh dead ; but I speedily
devised some remedy for myself, for I lifted up my
legs and kicked him with my hinder heels, so that I
left him lying at the hill foot well nigh slain, and so

147

LUCIUS APULfilUS

bus iactatis in eum crebriter, iam mulcato graviter
atque iacente contra proclive mentis attigui, fuga
me liberavi. Sed illico mulier quaepiam, uxor eius
scilicet, simul eum prostratum et semianimem ex
edito despexit, eiulabili cum plangore ad eum statim
prosilit, ut sui videlicet miseratione mihi praesens
crearet exitium : cuncti enim pagani, fletibus eius
exciti, statim couclamant canes atque ad me lanian-
dum rabie perciti ferrent impetum passim cohor-
tantur. Tune igitur procul dubio iam morti proxi-
mus, cum viderem canes et modo magnos et numero
multos et ursis ac leonibus ad compugnandum idoneos
in me convocatos exasperari, e re nata capto consilio,
fugam desino ac me retrorsus celeri gradu rursum in
stabulum quo deverteramus recipio. At illi, canibus
iam aegre cohibitis, arreptum me loro quam valido
ad ansulam quandam destinatum rursum caedendo
confecissent profecto, nisi dolore plagarum alvus
artata crudisque illis oleribus abundans et lubrico
fluxu saucia, fimo fistulatim excusso, quosdam extremi
liquoris aspergine, alios putore nidoris faetidi, a meis
iam quassis scapulis abegisset.

4 Nee mora, cum iam in meridiem prono iubare rur-
sum nos ac praecipue me longe gravius onustum
producunt illi latrones stabulo : iamque confecta
bona parte itineris et viae spatio defectus et sar-
cinae pondere depressus ictibusque fustium fatigatus
atque etiam ungulis extritis iam claudus et titubans,
rivulum quendam serpentis leniter aquae proptei
148

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

1 ran away : incontinently came out a certain woman,
doubtless his wife, who, seeing from above her
husband lying half dead, cried and howled in pitiful
sort, hasting towards her husband, to the intent that
by her loud cries she might purchase to me present
destruction ; for all the persons of the town, moved
and raised by her noise, came forth and cried for
dogs, and hied them on madly to tear me down. Out
came a great company of bandogs and mastiffs, more
fit to pull down bears and lions than me, whom when
I beheld I thought vei'ily that I should presently die,
so that I took what counsel I might from the occasion,
and thought no more of flight, but turned myself
about and ran as fast as ever I might to the stable
whither we had lodged. Then the men of the town
called in their dogs, which they scarce could hold,
and took me, and bound me to the staple of a post
with a great thong, and scourged me till I was well
nigh dead : and they would undoubtedly have slain
me, had it not come to pass that my belly, narrowed
with the pain of their beating and reeking with the
green herbs that lay therein, caught such a looseness
that I all besprinkled the faces of some with my
liquid dung, and with the filthy stench thereof en-
forced the others to leave my sides now well nigh
broken.

Not long after, which was now towards eventide,
the thieves loaded us again, and especially me, with
the heaviest burden, and brought us forth out of the
stable, and when we had gone a good part of our
journey, what with the long way, my great burden,
the beating of staves, and my worn hooves, lame and
tottering, I was so weary that I could scarcely go ;
then as I walked by a little river running with fair
water, I said to myself: " Behold, now I have found

149

LUCIUS APULEIUS
insistens, subtil em occasionem feliciter nactus cogi
tabam totum memet flexis scite cruribus pronum
abicere, certus atque obstinatus nullis verberibus ad
ingrediundum exsurgere, immo etiam paratus non
fusti tantum sed machaera perfossus occumbere.
Rebar enim iam me prorsus exanimatum ac debilem
merer! causariam missionem, certe latrones partim
impatientia morae, partim studio festinatae fugae,
dorsi mei sarcinam duobus ceteris iumentis distribu-
turos, meque in altioris vindictae vicem lupis et
5 vulturiis praedam relicturos. Sed tarn bellum con-
silium meum praevertit sors deterrima : namque
ille alius asinus, divinato et antecapto meo cogitatu,
statim se mentita lassitudine cum rebus totis offudit,
iacensque in mortuum non fustibus, non stimulis, ac
ne cauda et auribus cruribusque undique versu'm
elevatis temptavit exsurgere, quoad tandem fustibus,
postumae spei fatigati secumque collocuti, ne tarn diu
mortuo, immo vero lapideo asino servientes fugam
morarentur, sarcinis eius mihi equoque distributis,
destricto gladio poplites eius totos amputant, ac
paululum a via retractum per altissimum praeceps in
vallem proximam etiam nunc spirantem praecipitant.
Tune ego miseri commilitonis fortunam cogitans statui
iam dolis abiectis et fraudibus asinum me bonae frugi
dominis exhibere : nam et secum eos animadverteram
colloquentes, quod in proximo nobis esset habenda
mansio et totius viae finis quieta eorumque esset sedes

150

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

a good occasion. For I will fall down when I come
yonder, bending my legs beneath me, and surely I
will not rise again for any scourging or beating, and
not only will I defy the cudgel, but even be pierced
by the sword, if they shall use it upon me." And
the cause why I determined so to do was this : I
thought that I was so utterly feeble and weak that
I deserved my discharge for ill health, and certainly
that the robbers (partly for that they would not stay in
their journey, partly in haste to flee) would take off
the burden from my back, and put it upon my two
fellows, and so for my further punishment leave me as
a prey to the wolves and ravenous beasts. But evil
fortune prevented so good a consideration ; for the
other ass, being of the same purpose that I was of,
and forestalling me, by feigned and coloured weari-
ness fell down first with all his burden upon the
ground as though he were dead, and he would not
rise neither with beating nor pricking, nor stand
upon his feet, though they pulled him all about by
the tail, by his legs, and by his ears ; which when the
thieves beheld, as without all hope, they said one to
another : " What, should we stand here so long about
a dead or rather a stony ass ? Let us be gone " ; and
so they took his burden and divided some to me and
some to my horse. And then they drew their swords
and cut through all his hamstrings, and dragged him
a little from the way, and threw his body while he

et breathed from the point of a hill down into a
•eat valley. Then I, considering with myself of the

vil fortune of my poor companion, purposed now to
rget all subtlety and deceit and to play the good ass
to get my masters' favour, for I perceived by their
talk that we were well nigh come home to our
journey's end where they lived and had their

151

LUCIUS A PU LEI US

ilia et habitatio. dementi deiiique transmisso clivulo,
pervenimus ad locum destinatum, ubi rebus totis
exsolutis atque intus conditis, iam pondere liberatus
lassitudinem vice lavacri pulvereis volutatibus dige-
rebam.

6 Res ac tempus ipsum locorum speluncaeque illius
quam latrones inhabitabant,1 descriptionem exponere
flagitat : nam et meum simul periclitabor ingenium,
et faxo vos quoque an mente etiam sensuque fuerim
asinus sedulo sentiatis. Monshorridus silvestribusque
frondibus umbrosus et in primis altus fuit : huius per
obliqua devexa, qua saxis asperrimis et ob id inaccessis
cingitur,, convalles lacunosae cavaeque nimium spinetis
aggeratae et quaquaversus repositae naturalem tute-
lam praebentes ambiebant. De summo vertice fons
afluens bullis ingentibus scaturribat, perque prona
delapsus evomebat undas argenteas, iamque rivulis
pluribus dispersus ac valles illas agminibus stagnanti-
bus irrigans in modum stipati maris vel ignavi fluminis
cuncta cohibebat. Insurgit speluncae, qua margines
montanae desinunt, turris ardua caulae firma solidis
cratibus, ovili stabulationi commoda, porrectis undi-
que lateribus ; ante fores exigui tramites vice structi
parietis attenduntur : ea tu bono, certe meo periculo,
latronum dixeris atria. Nee iuxta quicquam quam
parva casula cannulis temere contecta, quo specula-
tores e numero latronum, ut postea comperi, sorte
ducti noctibus excubabant.

7 Ibi cum singuli derepsissent stipatis artubus, nobis
ante ipsas fores loro valido destinatis, anum quandam
curvatam gravi senio, cui soli salus atque tutela tot
numero iuvenum commissa videbatur, sic infesti com-
pellant : " Etiamne tu, busti cadaver extremum et
i The MSS have the present inhabitant. The imperfect,
as Oudendorp saw, seems to be required:

152

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

dwelling. And after that we had passed over
a little hill, we came to our appointed place, where
when we were unladen of our burdens and all things
carried in, I tumbled and wallowed in the dust to
refresh myself instead of water.

The thing and the time compel me to make
description of the places and especially of the den
where the thieves did inhabit : I will prove my wit
what I can do, and then consider you whether I was
an ass in judgement and sense, or no. First there
was an exceeding great hill compassed about with big
trees, very high, with many turning bottoms, sur-
rounded by sharp rocks, whereby it was inaccessible ;
there were many winding and hollow valleys en-
vironed with thickets and thorns, and naturally
fortressed round about. From the top of the hill ran
a spring both leaping and bubbling which poured
down the steep slope its silvery waves, and then
scattering abroad into many little brooks watered all
the valleys below, that it seemed like unto a sea
enclosed, or a standing flood. Before the den, where
was no more hill, stood a high tower, and at the foot
thereof, and on either side, were sheep-cots fenced
and wattled with clay ; before the gate of the house
were walls enclosing a narrow path, in such sort that
I well warrant you would judge it to be a very den for
thieves, and there was nothing else near save a little
cot covered roughly with thatch, wherein the thieves
did nightly accustom to watch by order, as after I
perceived.

And when they were all crept crouching into the
house, and we fast tied with strong halters at the
door, they began to chide with an old woman there,
crooked with age, who had the government and rule
of all those young men, and said ; " How is it, old

180

LUCIUS APULEIUS

vitae dedecus primum et Orel fastidium solum, sic
nobis otiosa domi residens lusitabis, nee nostris tarn
magnis tamque periculosis laboribus solacium de tarn
sera refectione tribues ? Quae diebus ac noctibus nil
quicquam rei quam merum saevienti ventri tuo soles
aviditer ingurgitare." Tremens ad haec et stridenti
vocula pavida sic anus : " At vobis, fortissimi fide-
lissimique mei hospitatores iuvenes, affatina cuncta
suavi sapore percocta pulmenta praesto sunt, panis
numerosus, yinum probe calicibus exfricatis affluenter
immissum, et ex more calida tumultuario lavacro vestro
praeparata." In fine sermonis huius statim sese de-
vestiunt, nudatique et flammae largissimae vapore
recreati calidaque perfusi et oleo peruncti mensas
dapibus largiter instructas accumbunt.
8 Commodum cubuerant, et ecce quidam longe plures
numero iuvenes adveniunt alii, quos incunctanter
adaeque latrones arbitrarere, nam et ipsi praedas
aureorum argentariorumque nummorum ac vascu-
lorum vestisque sericae et intextae filis aureis in-
vehebant : hi simili lavacro refoti inter toros sociorum
sese reponunt. Tune sorte ducti ministerium faciunt:
estur ac potatur incondite pulmentis acervatim, pani-
bus aggeratim, poculis agminatim ingestis ; clamore
ludunt, strepitu cantillant, conviciis iocantur, ac iam
cetera semiferis Lapithis evantibus l Centaurisque
similia. Tune inter eos unus, qui robore ceteros
antistabat, " Nos quidem" inquit "Milonis Hypa-
tini domum fortiter expugnavimus. Praeter tantam

1 Nic. Heinsius' ingenious emendation for the meaningless
ebcinibus or tebainibus of the MSS,

154

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

witch, old trot, that art the shame of life and
rejected of very death, that thou sittest idly all day
at home, and (having no regard to our perilous
labours) hast provided nothing for our suppers thus
late, but sittest doing nought but swilling wine into
that greedy belly of thine from morning to night ? "
Then the old woman trembled and began to say in
a terrified and harsh voice : " Behold, my puissant
and faithful masters, you shall have meat and pottage
enough by and by, cooked with a sweet savour.
Here is first store of bread, wine plenty, filled in
clean rinsed pots, likewise hot water prepared to
bathe you hastily after your wont." Which when
she had said, they put off all their garments and
refreshed themselves by a great fire, and after that
they were washed with the hot water and anointed
with oil, they sat down at the table garnished with
all kinds of dainty meat.

Now they were no sooner set 'down, but in came
another company of young men, more in number
than was before, whom you would judge at once
likewise to be thieves ; for they also brought in their
prey of gold and silver money, and plate, and robes
both silken and gold-embroidered, and when they
had likewise washed, they sat amongst the rest, and
casting lots they served one another by order. The
thieves drank and ate exceedingly,laying out the meat
in heaps, the bread in mounds, and the wine cups like
a marching army, crying, laughing, and making such
noise, that I thought I was amongst the tyrannous
and wild drunken Lapiths and Centaurs. At length
one of them, more stout than the rest, spoke in
this sort : " We verily have manfully conquered the
house of Milo of Hypata, and besides all the riches
and treasure which by force we have brought away,

J55

LUCIUS APULEIUS
fortunae copiam, quam nostra virtute nacti sumus, et
incolumi numero castra nostra petivimus et, si quid ad
rem facit, octo pedibus auctiores remeavimus. At vos
qui Boeotias urbes appetistis, ipso duce vestro fortis-
simo Lamacho deminuti debilem numerum reduxistis,
cuius salutem merito sarcinis istis quas advexistis
omnibus antetulerim. Sed ilium quidem utcumque
nimia virtus sua peremit ; inter inclitos reges ac duces
proeliorum tanti viri memoria celebrabitur : enim vos
bonae frugi latrones inter furta parva atque servilia
timidule per balneas et aniles cellulas reptantes
scrutariam facitis."

Suscipit unus ex illo posteriore numero : " Tune
solus ignoras longe faciliores ad expugnandum domus
esse maiores ? Quippe quod, licet numerosa familia
latis deversetur aedibus, tamen quisque magis suae
saluti quam domini consulat opibus : frugi autem et
solitarii homines fortunam parvam, vel certe satis
amplam, dissimulanter obtectam protegunt acrius et
sanguinis sui periculo muniunt. Res ipsa denique
fidem sermoni meo dabit: vix enim Thebas heptapylos
accessimuSj quod est huic disciplinae primarium
studium, sedulo fortunas inquirebamus popularium.
Nee nos denique latuit Chryseros quidam nummu-
larius, copiosae pecuniae dominus, qui metu officiorum
ac munerum publicorum magnis artibus magnam dissi-
mulabat opulentiam : denique solus ac solitarius parva
sed satis munita domuncula contentus, pannosus alio-
quin ac sordidus aureos folles incubabat.
156

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

we are all come home safe, none being lost, and are
increased the more, if it be worthy of mention, by
the eight feet of this horse and this ass. But you,
that have roved about among the towns of Boeotia,
have lost your valiant captain Lamachus, whose loss
I more regarded than all this treasure which you
have brought. But it is his own bravery that hath
destroyed him, and therefore the memory of him
shall be renewed for ever amongst the most noble
kings and valiant captains ; but you accustom when
you go abroad, like doughty robbers indeed, to creep
through every corner and hole for every trifle, doing
a paltry business in baths and the huts of aged
women."

Then one of them that came last answered : " Why,
are you only ignorant, that the greater the house
is, the sooner it may be robbed and spoiled? For
though the family of servants be great and dispersed
in divers lodgings, yet every man had rather defend
his life than save at his own hazard the riches of his
master ; but when the people be few and poor and
live alone, then will they hide and protect very
fiercely, even at the danger of their lives, their sub-
stance, how little or great soever it be. And to the
intent you will believe me, I will show you our story
as an example. We were scarce come nigh unto
seven-gated Thebes, and began at once to enquire of
the fortunes of the greatest men thereof, which is
the fountain of our art and science, and we learned
at length where a rich chuff called Chryseros did
dwell, who, for fear of offices and burdens in the public
weal, with great pains dissimulated his estate and
lived sole and solitary in a small cot (howbeit well
fortified) and huddled daily in ragged and torn
apparel over his bags of gold. Wherefore we devised

157

LUCIUS APULEIUS

placuit ad hunc primum ferremus aditum, ut con-
tempta pugna manus unicae nullo negotio cunctis

10 opibus otiose potiremur. Nee mora, cum noctis
initio foribus ems praestolamur, quas neque sublevare
neque dimovere ac ne perfringere quidem nobis vide-
batur, ne vulvarum sonus cunctam viciniam nostro
suscitaret exitio. Tune itaque sublimis ille vexil-
larius noster Lamachus spectatae virtutis suae fiducia,
qua clavi immittendae foramen patebat sensim im-
missa manu, claustrum evellere gestiebat : sed dudum
scilicet omnium bipedum nequissimus Chryseros
vigilans et singula rerum sentiens, lenem gradum et
obnixum silentium tolerans paulatim arrepit, gran-
dique clavo manum ducis nostri repente nisu fortis-
simo ad ostii tabulam offigit et exitiabili nexu
patibulatum 1 relinquens gurgustioli sui tectum
ascendit atque inde contentissima voce clamitans
rogansque vicinos et unumquemque proprio nomine
ciens et salutis communis admonens, diffamat in-
cendio repentino domum suam possideri : sic unus-
quisque proximi periculi confinio territus suppetiatum

11 decurruntanxii. Tune nos in ancipiti periculo consti-
tuti vel opprimendi nostri vel deserendi socii reme-
dium e re nata validum eo volente comminiscimus :
antesignani nostri partem, qua manus humerum
subit, ictu per articulum medium temperate prorsus
abscidimus atque ibi brachio relicto, multis laciniis
dffulto vulnere, ne stillae sanguinis vestigium pro-
derent. ceterum Lamachum raptim reportamus ; ac,

1 MSS patibulum. The emendation is variously ascribed to
Scaliger or Vulcaniug.

158

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

With ourselves to go first to his house and spoil him
of all his riches, which we thought we should easily
do if we had but to fight against him alone. And at
once when night came we quickly drew towards his
door, which we thought best neither to move it, nor
lift it out of the hinges, and we would not break it
open lest by the noise we should raise up (to our
harm) the neighbours by. Then our strong and
valiant captain JLamachus, trusting his own strength
and force, thrust in his hand through a hole of the
door, which was made for the key, and thought to
pull back the bolt ; but the covetous caitiff Chryseros,
vilest of all that go on two feet, being awake and
seeing all, but making no noise, came softly to the door
and caught his hand, and with a great nail nailed it
fast to a post of the gate, which when he had done,
and had left him thus crucified, he ran up to
a high chamber of his hovel, and in a very loud voice
called every one of his neighbours by name, desiring
them to look to their common safety with all possible
speed, for his house was afire. Then every one, for
fear of the danger that was nigh him, came running
out to aid him ; wherewith we (fearing our present
peril) knew not what was best to be done, whether
we should leave our companion there, or yield our-
selves to die with him ; but by his consent we devised
a better way, for we cut through the joint of this our
leader where the arm joins to the shoulder, and so
let it hang there, and then bound up his wound
with clouts lest we should be traced by the drops of
blood, and so we took all that was left of Lamachus
and led him away.v Now when we hurried along,
trembling for our affection to him, and were so nigh
pursued that we were in present danger, and
Lumachus could not keep our company by reason

159

LUCIUS APULEIUS

dum trepidi religionis urguemur gravi tumultu et
instantis periculi metu terremur ad fugam, nee vel
sequi propere vel remanere tuto potest vir sublimis
animi virtutisque praecipuus, multis nos affatibus
multisque precibus querens adhortatur per dexteram
Martis, per fidem sacramenti bonum commilitonem
cruciatu simul et captivitate liberaremus : cur enim
manui, quae rapere et iugulare sola posset, fortem
latronem supervivere ? Sat se beatum qui manu
socia volens occumberet. Cumque nulli nostrum
spontale parricidium suadens persuadere posset,
manu reliqua sumptum gladium suum diuque de-
osculatum, per medium pectus ictu fortissimo trans-
adigit. Tune nos magnanimi ducis vigore venerato
corpus reliquum veste lintea diligenter convolutum
mari celandum commisimus, et nunc iacet noster
Lamachus elemento toto sepultus.

12 "Et ille quidem dignum virtutibus suis vitae teiv
minum posuit : enimvero Alcimus sollertibus coeptis
minus1 saevum Fortunae nutum non potuit adducere.
Qui cum dormientis anus perfracto tuguriolo conscen-
disset cubiculum superius iamque protinus oblisis
faucibus interstinguere earn debuisset, prius maluit
rerum singula per latiorem fenestram forinsecus nobis
scilicet rapienda dispergere. Cumque iam cuncta
rerum naviter emolitus nee toro quidem aniculae
quiescentis parcere vellet, eaque lectulo suo devo-
luta vestem stragulam subductam scilicet iactare
similiter destinaret, genibus eius profusa sic nequis-
sima ilia deprecatur : 'Quid, oro, fill, paupertinas
pannosasque resculas miserrimae anus donas vicinis

i MSS eum. Minut is Bluemner's suggestion.
160

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

of faintness (and on the other side it was not for his
profit to linger behind) he spoke unto us as a man
of singular courage and virtue, desiring us by much
entreaty and prayer, and by the puissance of the god
Mars and the faith of our confederacy, to deliver our
brave comrade from torment and miserable captivity :
and further he asked how was it possible that so
courageous a captain could live without his hand,
wherewith alone he could rob and slay so many
people, but he would rather think himself sufficiently
happy if he might be slain by the hand of a friend.
But when he saw that we all refused to commit any
such wicked deed he drew out his sword with his
other hand, and after that he had often kissed it, he
thrust it with a strong blow clean through his body.
Then we honoured the corpse of so puissant a man,
and wrapped it in linen clothes and threw it into the
sea to hide it : so lieth our master Latnachus buried
and hid in the grave of water.

" Now he ended his life worthily of his courage, as
I have declared ; but Alcimus, though he were a man
of great enterprise, yet could he not void himself from
evil fortune : for on a day when he had entered into
an old woman's hut that slept, to rob her, he went up
into the higher chamber, where he should first have
strangled her, but he had more regard to throw down
everything out of the window to us that stood under :
and when he had cleverly despoiled all, he would
leave nothing behind, but went to the old woman's
bed where she lay asleep and threw her from it, and
would have taken off the coverlet to have thrown
down likewise, but the old hag awaked and fell at his
knees, and desired him in this manner : ' O sir, I pray
you, cast not away such torn and ragged clouts into
my neighbours' houses, whither this window looks ;

L 101

LUCIUS APULEIUS
divitibus, quorum haec fenestra domum prospicit?'
Quo sermone callido deceptus astu, et vera quae
dicta sunt credens Alcimus, verens scilicet ne et ea,
quae prius miserat quaeque postea missurus foret, non
sociis suis sed in alienos Lares iam certus erroris
abiceret, suspendit se fenestra sagaciter perspecturus
omnia, praesertim domus attiguae, ut dixerat ilia,
fortunas arbitraturus. Quod eum strenue quidem
sed satis improvide conantem senile illud facinus
quamquam invalido, repentino tamen et inopinato
pulsu, nutantem ac pendulum et in prospectu alio-
quin attonitum praeceps inegit ; qui praeter altitu-
dinem nimiam super quendam etiam vastissimum
lapidem propter iacentem reddens, perfracta diffis-
saque crate costarum rivos sanguinis vomens imitus,
narratisque nobis quae gesta sunt, non diu cruciatus
vitam evasit : quern prioris exemplo sepulturae tra-
ditum bonum secutorem Lamacho dedimus.
13 "Tune orbitatis duplici plaga petiti, iamque The-
banis conatibus abnuentes, Plataeas proximam con-
scendimus civitatem. Ibi famam celebrem super
quodam Demochare munus edituro gladiatorium de-
prehendimus : nam vir et genere primarius et opibus
plurimus et liberalitate praecipuus digno fortunae
suae splendore publicas voluptates instruebat. Quis
tantus ingenii, quis facundiae, qui singulas species
apparatus multiiugi verbis idoneis posset explicare ?
Gladiatores isti famosae manus, venatores illi pro-
batae pernicitatis, alibi noxii perdita securitate suis
162

for they are rich enough and need no such things.*
Then Alcimus (thinking her words to be true) was
brought in belief that such things as he had thrown
out already, and such things as he should throw out
after, were not fallen down to his fellows, but into
other men's houses ; wherefore he went to the window
to see, and especially to behold the places round
about, as she had told him, thrusting his body out of
the window ; but while he strove to do this, strongly
indeed but somewhat rashly, the old trot marked him
well, and came behind him softly, and although she
had but small strength, yet with a sudden force she
took him by the heels and thrust him out headlong
while his body was balancing and unsure ; and beside
that the height was very great, he fell upon a mar-
vellous great stone that lay near and burst his ribs,
whereby he vomited and spewed flakes of blood, and
when he had told us all, he suffered not long torment,
but pi'esently died. Then we gave unto him the same
burial and sent him a worthy comrade to Lamachus,
as we had done before.

" When we had thus lost two of our companions,
we liked not Thebes, but marched towards the next
city called Plataea, where we found great fame con-
cerning a man named Demochares that purposed to
set forth a great game, where should be a trial of all
kinds of weapons : he was come of a good house,
marvellous rich, liberal, and well deserved that which
he had, and had prepared many shews and pleasures
for the common people : in so much that there is no
man can either by wit or eloquence shew in fit words
all the manifold shapes of his preparations, for first
he had provided gladiators of a famous band, then all
manner of hunters most fleet of foot, then guilty
men without hope of reprieve who were judged for

168

LUCIUS APULEIUS

epulis bestiarum saginas instruentes ; confixilis ma*
chinae sublicae, turres tabularum nexibus ad instar
circumforaneae domus, floridae picturae, decora fu-
turae venationis receptacula. Qui praeterea numerus,
quae facies ferarum ! Nam praecipuo studio forin-
secus etiam advexerat generosa ilia damnatorum capi-
tum funera. Sed praeter ceteram speciosi muneris
supellectilem totis utcumque patrimonii viribus im-
manis ursae comparabat numerum copiosum : nam
praeter domesticis venationibus captas, praeter largis
emptionibus partas, amicorum etiam donationibus
variis certatim oblatas tutela sumptuosa sollicite
14 nutriebat. Nee ille tarn clarus tamque splendidus
publicae voluptatis apparatus invidiae noxios effugit
oculos : nam diutina captivitate fatigatae simul et
aestiva flagrantia maceratae, pigra etiam sessione
languidae, repentina correptae pestilentia paene ad
nullum redivere numerum. Passim per plateas pluri-
mas cerneres iacere semivivorum corporum ferina
naufragia : tune vulgus ignobile, quos inculta pau-
peries sine delectu ciborum tenuato ventri cogit
sordentia supplementa et dapes gratuitas conquirere,
passim iacentes epulas accurrunt.

" Tune e re nata subtile consilium ego et iste Babu-

.
lus tale commmiscimur : unam, quae cetens sarcina

corporis praevalebat, quasi cibo parandam portamus
ad nostrum receptaculum eiusque probe nudatum
carnibus corium, servatis sollerter totis unguibus,
ipso etiam bestiae capita adusque connnium cervicis
164

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

their punishment to be food for wild beasts. He had
ordained a machine made of beams fixed together,
great towers and platforms like a house to move
hither and thither, very well painted, to be places to
contain all the quarry : he had ready a great number
of wild beasts and all sorts of them, especially he
had brought from abroad those noble creatures that
were soon to be the death of so many condemned
persons. But amongst so great preparations of noble
price, he bestowed the most part of his patrimony in
buying of a vast multitude of great bears, which
either by chasing he had caught himself, or which he
dearly bought or which were given him by divers of
his friends, who strove one with another in making
him such gifts : and all these he kept and nourished
to his very great cost. Howbeit for all his care of
the public pleasure, he could not be free from the
malicious eyes of envy : for some of them were well
nigh dead, with too long tying up ; some meagre
with the broiling heat of the sun; some languished
with long lying, but all (having sundry diseases) were
so afflicted that they died one after another, and there
were well nigh none left, in such sort that you
might see their wrecks piteously lying in the streets
and all but dead : and then the common people,
having no other meat to feed on, and forced by their
rude poverty to find any new meat and cheap feasts,
would come forth and fill their bellies with the flesh
of the bears.

" Then by and by Babulus and I devised a pretty
sport to suit this case ; we drew to our lodging one
of the bears that was greater of bulk than all the rest,
as though we would prepare to eat thereof, where
we flayed off his skin and kept his claws whole, but
we meddled not with the head, but cut it off by the

165

LUCIUS APULEIUS

solido relicto, tergus omne rasura studiosa tenuamus
et minuto cinere perspersum soli siccandum tradimus.
Ac dum caelestis vaporis flammis examurgatur, nos
interdum pulpis eius valenter saginantes, sic instanti
militiae disponimus sacramentum, ut unus e numero
nostro, non qui corporis adeo sed animi robore ceteris
antistaret, atque is in primis voluntarius, pelle ilia
contectus ursae subiret effigiem, domumque Demo-
charis illatus per opportuna noctis silentia nobis

J 5 ianuae faciles praestaret aditus. Nee paucos fortissimi
collegii sellers species ad munus obeundum arrexerat :
quorum prae ceteris Thrasyleon factionis optione
delectus ancipitis machinae subivit aleam, iamque
habili corio et mollitie tractabili vultu sereno sese
recondit. Tune tenui sarcimine summas oras eius
adaequamus, et iuncturae rimam, licet gracilem, saetae
circumfluentis densitate saepimus ; ad ipsum con-
finium gulae, qua cervix bestiae fuerat exsecta,
Thrasyleoiiis caput subire cogimus, parvisque re-
spiratui circa nares et oculos datis foraminibus, for-
tissimum socium nostrum, prorsus bestiam factum,
inmittimus caveae modico praestinatae pretio, quam
constanti vigore festinus irrepsit ipse.

"Ad hunc modum prioribus inchoatis, sic ad

16 reliqua fallaciae pergimus : sciscitati nomen cuiusdam
Nicanoris qui genere Thracio proditus ius amicitiae
stimmum cum illo Demochare colebat, litteras
affingimus, ut venationis suae primitias bonus amicus

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

neck, and so let it hang to the skin. Then we razed
oft' the flesh from the back, and cast dust thereon,
and set it in the sun to dry : and while it was drying
by the heat of the heavenly fire, we made merry
with the flesh, and then we devised with ourselves
with an oath that one of us, being more valiant than
the rest, not so much in body as in courage (so that
he would straightway consent thereto) should put on
the skin, and feigning that he were a bear, should be
led to Demochares' house in the night, by which
means we thought to be received and easily let in.
Many of our brave brotherhood were desirous to play
the bear in this subtle sleight, but especially one
Thrasyleon of a courageous mind was chosen by all
our band to take the risk of this enterprise. Then
we put him, very calm in mind and face, into the
bear's skin, which was soft and fitted him finely in
every point ; we buckled fast the edges thereof with
fine stitching, and covered the same, though small,
with the thick hair growing about it that it might not
be seen : we thrust his head into the opening ot
the bear's throat where his neck had been cut out,
and after this we made little holes through his
nostrils and eyes for Thrasyleon to see out and take
wind at, in such sort that he seemed a very lively
and natural beast : when this was done, we brought
him into a cage which we hired with a little money
for the purpose, and he crept nimbly in after like a
bear with a good courage.

11 Thus we began our subtlety, and then we
agined thus : we feigned letters as though they
came from one Nicanor which dwelt in the country
of Thrace, which was of great acquaintance with
this Demochares, wherein we wrote that he had
sent him, being his friend, the first-fruits of his

167

LUCIUS APULEIUS

videretur ornando muneri dedicasse. lamque pro-
vecta vespera, abusi praesidio tenebi-arum, Thrasy-
leonis caveam Demochari cum litteris lllis adulterinis
offerimus, qui miratus bestiae magnitudinem suique
contubernalis opportuna liberalitate laetatus iubet
nobis protinus gaudii sui gerulis decem aureos, ut
ipse habebat, e suis loculis adnumerari. Tune ut
novitas consuevit ad repentinas visiones aniraos
hominum pellere, multi numero mirabundi bestiam
confluebant, quorum satis callenter curiosos aspeetus
Thrasyleon noster impetu minaci frequenter in-
hibebat ; consonaque civium voce satis felix ac
beatus Demochares ille saepe celebratus, quod
post tantam cladem ferarum novo proventu quo-
quo modo fortunae resisteret, iubet novalibus
suis confestim bestiam summa cum diligentia de-
1 7 portari ; sed suscipiens ego ' Caveas/ inquam
' Domine, flagrantia solis et itineris spatio fatigatam
coetui multarum et, ut audio, non recte valentium
committere ferarum. Quin potius domus tuae patu-
lum ac perflabilem locum, immo et lacu aliquo con-
terminum refrigerantemque prospicis ? An ignoras
hoc genus bestiae lucos consitos et specus roridos et
fontes amoenos semper incubare ? ' Talibus mon-
itis Demochares perterritus numerumque perditorum
secum recensens, non difficulter assensus, ut ex ar-
bitrio nostro caveam locaremus facile permisit. ' Sed
et nos ' inquam * Ipsi parati sumus hie ibidem pro

168

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

coursing and hunting. When night was come, we
took cover of the darkness, and brought Thrasyleon's
cage and our forged letters, and presented them to
Demochares. When Demochares wonderingly beheld
this mighty bear, and saw the timely liberality of
Nicanor his friend, he was glad, and commanded his
servant to deliver unto us that brought him this joy
ten gold crowns, as he had great store in his coflers :
then (as the novelty of a thing doth accustom to stir
men's minds to behold the same) many persons came
on every side to see this bear, but Thrasyleon (lest
they should by curious viewing and prying perceive
the truth) ran often upon them to put them in fear,
so that they durst not come nigh. Then the people
said with one voice : ' Verily Demochares is right
happy, in that, after the death of so many beasts, he
hath gotten, in spite of fortune, so goodly a bear to
supply him afresh.' He commanded that with great
care his servants should put him into the park close
by, but I immediately spoke unto him and said:
' Sir, I pray you, take heed how you put a beast
tired with the heat of the sun and with long travel
amongst others which (as I hear say) have divers
maladies and diseases ; let him rather lie in some
open place of your house, where the breeze blows
through, yea nigh to some water, where he
may take air and ease himself, for do not you
know that such kind of beasts do greatly delight
to couch under shadow of trees and dewy caves, nigh
unto pleasant wells and waters?' . Hereby Demo-
chares, admonished and remembering how many he
had before that perished, was contented that we
should put the bear's cage where we would. More-
over we said unto him : ' We ourselves are determined
to lie all night nigh unto the bear, to look unto him,

169

LUCIUS APULEIUS

cavea ista excubare noctes, ut aestus et vexationis
incommode bestiae fatigatae et cibum tempestivum
et potum solitum accuratius offeramus.' ' Nihil in-
digemus labore isto vestro ; ' respondit ille ' lam paene
tola familia per diutinam consuetudinem nutriendis
ursis exercitata est.'

18 « Post haec valefacto discessimus et portam civitatis
egressi monumentum quoddam conspicamur procul a
via remote et abdito loco positum. Ibi capulos carie
et vetustate semitectos, quis inhabitabant pulverei et
iam cinerosi mortui, passim ad futurae praedae
receptacula reseramus et, ex disciplina sectae servato
noctis inlunio tempore, quo somnus obvius impetti
primo corda mortalium validius invadit ac premit,
cohortem nostram gladiis armatam ante ipsas fores
Democharis velut expilationis vadimonium sistimus.
Nee setius Thrasyleon, examussim capto noctis latro-
cinali momento, prorepit cavea statimque custodes,
qui propter sopiti quiescebant omnes ad unum, mox
etiam ianitorem ipsum gladio conficit, clavique sub-
tracta fores ianuae repandit nobisque prompte convo-
lantibus et domus alveo receptis demonstrat horreum,
ubi vespera sagaciter argentum copiosum recondi
viderat. Quo protinus perfracto confertae manus
violentia, iubeo singulos commilitonum asportare
quantum quisque poterat auri vel argenti, et in illis
aedibus fidelissimorum mortuorum occultare propere
rursumque concito gradu recurrentes sarcinas iterare :
quod enim ex usu foret omnium, me sohun resis-
i70

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

which is tired with the heat and his long journey,
and to give him meat and drink at his due hour.'
Then he answered : ( Verily, masters, you need not
to put yourselves to such pains : for I have men,
yea, almost all my family of servants, that serve for
nothing but for this purpose of tending bears.'

" Then we took leave of him and departed, and
when we were come without the gates of the town
we perceived before us a great sepulchre standing
out of the highway, in a privy and secret place. And
thither we went and opened there certain coffins, half
rotted with age, wherein we found the corruption of
man, and the ashes and dust of his long-buried body,
which should serve to hold the prey we were very
soon to get : and then, according to the custom of
our band, having a respect to the dark and moonless
time of the night when we thought that every man
was sunk in his first and strongest sleep, we went
with our weapons and besieged the doors of Demo-
chares round about, in earnest that we were soon to
plunder the same. Then Thrasyleon was ready at
hand, seizing upon that time of night which is for
robbers most fit, and crept out of the cage and went
to kill all such of his guards as he found asleep ; but
when he came to the porter he slew him also and
took the key and opened the gates and let us all in :
and he shewed us now in the midst of the house a
large counter, wherein looking sharply he saw put
the night before a great abundance of treasure :
which when by violence of us all we had broken
open, I bade every one of my fellows take as much
gold and silver as they could quickly bear away, and
carry it to the sepulchre, and there quickly hide it
in the house of those dead who were to us most
faithful allies, and then come soon back to take another

171

LUCIUS APULEIUS

tentem pro domus limine cuncta rerum exploraturum
sollicite dum redirent ; nam et fades ursae mediis
aedibus discurrentis ad proterrendos, si qui de familia
forte evigilassent, videbatur opportuna. Quis enim,
quamuis fortis et intrepidus, immani forma tantae
bestiae noctu praesertim visitata,, non se ad fugam
statim concitaret, non obdito cellae pessulo pavens et
trepidus sese cohiberet ?

19 "'His omnibus salubri consilio recte dispositis
occurrit scaevus eventus : namque dum reduces
socios nostros suspensus opperior, quidam servulus,
strepitu scilicet divinitus inquietus, proserpit leniter
visaque bestia, quae libere discurrens totis aedibus
commeabat, premens obnixum silentium vestigium
suum replicat et utcumque cunctis in domo visa pro-
nuntiat. Nee mora, cum numerosae familiae fre-
quentia domus tota completur : taedis, lucernis,
cereis, sebaciis, et ceteris nocturni luminis instru-
mentis clarescunt tenebrae ; nee inermis quisquam
de tanta copia processit, sed singuli fustibus, lanceis,
destrictis denique gladiis armati muniunt aditus.
Nee secus canes etiam venaticos, auritos illos et
horricomes ad comprimendam bestiam cohortantur.

20 " Tune ego, sensim gliscente adhuc illo tumultu,
retrogradi fuga domo facesso sed plane Thrasyleo-
nem mire canibus repugnantem, latens pone ianuam
ipse, prospicio: quamquam enirn vitae metas ulti-
mas obiret, non tamen sui nostrique vel pristinae
virtutis oblitus iam faucibus ipsis hiantis Cerberi re-
luctabat : scaenam denique quam sponte sumpserat
cum anima retinens, nunc fugiens, nunc resistens,

172

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

burden ; but I, for our common weal, would stand
alone at the gate watching diligently when they
would return, and the bear running about the house
would make such of the family afraid as fortuned to
wake and come out : for who is he that is so puissant
and courageous, that at the sight of so great a monster
would not quail and flee away and keep his chamber
well barred, especially in the night ?

" Now when we had brought this matter to so
good a point, there chanced a pitiful case ; for as I
looked for my companions that should come from
the sepulchre, behold there was . a boy of the
house that fortuned to be awaked by the noise, as
fate would have it, and look out of a window and
espy the bear running freely about the house, and
he went back on his steps a-tiptoe and very secretly,
and told all the servants, and at once the house was
filled with the whole train of them. Incontinently
they came forth with torches, lanterns, candles and
tapers, and other lights, that they might see all the
yard over ; they came not unarmed, but with clubs,
spears, and naked swords, to guard the entrances, and
they set on greyhounds and mastiffs, even those with
great ears and shaggy hair, to subdue the poor beast.
Then I, during this broil, thought to run away, but
because I would see Thrasyleon fighting wonderfully
with the dogs, 1 lay behind the gate to behold him.
And although I might perceive that he was at the
very term or limit of fife, yet remembered he his
own faithfulness and ours, and valiantly resisted the
gaping and ravenous mouths of the hound of Hell :
for he took well to play the part which he so will-
ingly had taken in hand himself, and with much
ado, so long as the breath was in him, now flying
and now pursuing, with many twistings and turnings

173

LUCIUS APULEIUS

Variis corporis sui schemis ac motibus tandem domo
prolapsus est. Nee tamen, quamvis publica potitus
libertate, salutem fuga quaerere potuit, quippe cuncti
canes de proximo angiportu satis feri satisque copiosi
venaticis illis, qui commodum domo similiter inse-
quentes processerant, se obmiscent agminatim.
Miserum funestumque spectamen aspexi, Thrasy-
leonem nostrum catervis canum saevientium cine turn
atque obsessum multisque numero morsibus lania-
tum. Denique tanti doloris impatiens populi circum-
fluentis turbelis immisceor, et in quo solo poteram
celatum auxilium bono ferre commilitoni, sic in-
daginis principes dehortabar : 'O grande ' inquam
' Et extremum flagitium, magnam et vere pretiosam
21'perdimus bestiam.' Nee tamen nostri sermonis artes
infelicissimo profuerunt iuveni, quippe quidam pro-
currens e domo procerus et validus incunctanter lan-
ceam mediis iniecit ursae praecordiis nee secus alius,
et ecce plurimi iam timore discusso certatim gladios
etiam de proximo congerunt : enimvero Thrasyleon,
egregium decus nostrae factionis, tandem immor-
talitate digno illo spiritu expugnato, magis quam
patientia neque clamore ac ne ululatu quid em
fidem sacramenti prodidit, sed iam morsibus
laceratus ferroque laniatus, obnixo mugitu et ferino
fremitu praesentem casum generoso vigore tolerans
gloriam sibi jeservavit, vitam fato reddidit. Tanto
tamen terrore tantaque formidine coetum ilium tur-
baverat, ut usque diluculum, immo et in multum diem
nemo quisquam fuerit ausus quamvis iacentem bes-
tiam vel digito contingere, nisi tandem pigre ac
timide quidam lanius paulo fidentior, utero bestiae
174

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

of his body, tumbled at length out of the house ;
but when he was come to liberty abroad, yet could
he not save himself by flight, for all the dogs of the
street (which were fierce and many) joined them-
selves to the greyhounds and mastiffs that had just
come out of the house, to chase him like a great
host : alas, what a pitiful sight it was when our poor
Thrasyleon was thus environed and compassed with
so many furious dogs that tore and rent him miser-
ably ! Then I, impatient of so great his misery, ran
in amongst the press of the people, and aiding my
comrade secretly with my words (for no more could
I do) exhorted all the leaders of this chase in this
manner : ' O great extreme mischance, what a pre-
cious and excellent beast do we lose ! ' but my
words did nothing prevail to help the poor wretch.
For there came running out a tall man with a spear
in his hand, that thrust him clean through, and
afterwards many that stood by, released of their
fear, drew out their swords, and so they killed him.
But verily our brave captain Thrasyleon, the great
honour of our band, when his life, that was
worthy never to die, was utterly overcome, but not
his fortitude, would not bewray the league between
us, either by crying, howling, or any other means,
but (being torn with dogs, and wounded with
weapons) did still send forth a bellowing cry more
lake that of a beast than of a man : and taking his
present fortune in good part, with courage and glory
enough did finish his life with such a terror unto
the assembly, that no person was so hardy (until it
was morn, nay, until it was high day) as to touch
him, though he were a beast stark dead : but at last
there came a butcher more valiant than the rest,
who (opening the paunch of the beast) slit off the

175

LUCIUS APULEIUS

*esecto, ursae magnificum despoliavit latronem. Sic
etiam Thrasyleon nobis perivit sed a gloria non peri-
vit. Confestim itaque constrictis sarcinis illis, quas
nobis servaverant fideles mortui, Plataeae terminos
concito gradu deserentes, istud apud nostros animos
identidem reputabamus, merito nullam fidem in vita
nostra repperiri, quod ad manes iam et mortuos odio
perfidiae nostrae demigrarit. Sic onere vecturae
simul et asperitate l viae toti fatigati, tribus comitum
desideratis, istas quas videtis praedas adveximus."
2 2 Post istum sermonis terminum poculis aureis memo-
riae defunctorum commilitonum vino mero libant,
dehinc canticis quibusdam Marti deo blanditi paulu-
lum conquiescunt. Enim nobis anus ilia recens hor-
deum affatim et sine ulla mensura largita est, ut
equus quidem meus tanta copia et quidem solus
potitus saliares se cenasse cenas 2 crederet : ego vero,
qui numquam alias hordeum cibatus ni minutatum
et diutina coquitatione iurulentum semper eserim,3
rimatus angulum quo panes reliquiae totius multi-
tudinis congestae fuerant, fauces diutina fame saucias
et araneantes valenter exerceo. Et ecce nocte pro-
niota latrones expergiti castra commovent instruc-
tique varie, partim gladiis armati, partim 4 in
Lemures reformat!, concito se gradu proripiunt.
Nee me tam.en instanter ac fortiter manducantem

'i Vulcanius' emendation for the MSS' aspefe.

2 Luetjohann's emendation, slightly changed by van di
Vliet. The best MS has salies secenas, with a lacuna of abc
five letters after the last word.

3 The whole of this passage is very corrupt m the M B». -

176

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

skin from the hardy and venturous thief. In this
manner there was lost to us also our captain Thrasy-
leon, but there was not lost to him his fame and
honour. When all this was done, we packed up our
treasure which the faithful dead in the sepulchre
had kept for us, and we got us out of the bounds of
Plataea, thinking always with ourselves that there
was no fidelity to be found amongst the living ; and
no wonder, for that it hath passed over to the ghosts
and the dead in hatred of our deceitfulness. And
so, being wearied with the weight of our burdens,
and very tired with our rough travel, having thus
lost three of our soldiers, we are come home with
this present prey that you see."

Thus when they had spoken and poured libation
of pure wine from cups of gold in memory of their
slain companions, they sung hymns to the god Mars
to pacify him withal, and laid them down to sleep.
Then the old woman gave us fresh barley in plenty
without measure, in so much that my horse, the only
lord of all that abundance, might well think he was
at some priestly banquet that day. But I, that was
accustomed to eat flour finely milled and long cooked
with broth, thought that but a sour kind of meat ;
wherefore espying a corner where lay the loaves of
bread left by all the band, I got me thither, and
used upon them my jaws which ached with long
famine and seemed to be full of cobwebs. Now when
the night was come the thieves awaked and rose up :
and when they had buckled on their weapons and

text as printed gives the sense required, by supplying qui
and ni.

* This partim is not in the MSS, and was supplied by
Elmenhorst ; but an m after arrnati seems to show that it was
once there and had dropped out.

M 177

LUCIUS APULEIUS

vel somnus imminens impedire potuit ; et quam-
quam prius, cum essem Lucius, unico vel se-
cundo pane contentus mensa decederem, tune
ventri tarn profundo serviens iam ferme tertium
qualum rumigabam. Huic me operi attonitum
23 clara lux oppressit : tandem itaque asinali verecundia
ductus, aegerrime tamen digrediens rivulo proximo
sitim lenio. Nee mora, cum latrones ultro anxii
atque solliciti remeant, nullam quidem prorsus
sarcinam vel omnino, licet vilem, laciniam ferentes
sed tantum gladiis totis,1 totis manibus, immo
factionis suae cunctis viribus unicam virginem filo
liberalem et, ut matronatus eius indicabat, sum-
matem regionis, puellam mehercules et asino tali
concupiscendam, maerentem et crines cum veste
sua lacerantem advehebant. Earn simul intrantes 2
speluncam verbisque quae dolebat minora facientes
sic alloquuntur : " Tu quidem salutis et pudicitiae
secura brevem patientiam nostro compendio tribue,
quos ad istam sectam paupertatis necessitas adegit.
Parentes autem tui de tanto suarum divitiarum
cumulo, quamquam satis cupidi, tamen sine mora
parabunt scilicet idoneam sui sanguinis redemp-
tionem."

24 His et his similibus blateratis nequicquam dolor
sedatur puellae. Quidni, quae inter genua sua
deposito capite sine modo flebat ? At illi intro-

1 The first totis is not in the MSS. It was Lofstedt'* sugges-
tion to supply it after gladiis.

2 Bursian's correction of the MSS' intra.

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

disguised their faces with vizors, like unto spectres,
they departed, and yet for all the great sleep that
came upon me, I could in no wise leave eating, and
whereas, when I was a man, I could be contented
•with one or two loaves at the most, now my guts
were so greedy that three panniers full would scarcely
serve me ; and while I laboured at this business, the
morning came, and being moved by even an ass's
shamefastness, I left my food at last (though well I
liked it) and at a stream hard by I quenched my
thirst. And suddenly after, the thieves returned
home careful and heavy, bringing no burdens with
them, no not so much as one poor cloke, but with
all their swords and strength, yea even with the
might of their whole band, only a maiden that
seemed by her habit to be some gentlewoman born,
and the daughter of some noble of that country,
who was so fair and beautiful, that though I were an
ass, yet I swear that I had a great affection to her.
The virgin lamented and tore her hair, and spoiled
her garments for the great sorrow she was in, but
the thieves brought her within the cave, and essayed
to comfort her in this sort : " Weep not, fair gentle-
woman, we pray you, for be you assured that we will
do no outrage or violence to your person, but take
patience awhile for our profit ; for necessity and
poor estate hath compelled us to this enterprise : we
warrant you that your parents (although they be
covetous) from their great store will be contented
to give us money enough to redeem and ransom
you, that are their own blood, from our hands."

With such flattering words they endeavoured to
appease the gentlewoman : howbeit she would in no
case be comforted, but put her head between her
knees and cried piteously. Then they called the old

179

LUCIUS APULEIUS

vocatae anui praecipiunt assidens earn blando quan-
tum posset solaretur alloquio, seque ad sectae sueta
conferunt. Nee tamen puella quivit ullis aniculae
sermonibus ab inceptis fletibus avocari, sed altius
eiulans sese et assiduis singultibus ilia quatiens mihi
etiam lacrimas excussit, ac sic "An ego" inquit
" Misera, tali domo, tanta familia, tarn caris vernulis,
tarn sanctis parentibus desolata et infelicis rapinae
praeda et mancipium effecta, inque isto saxeo carcere
serviliter clausa et omnibus deliciis, quis innata atque
innutrita sum, privata, sub incerto salutis et carnifi-
cinae laniena, inter tot ac tales latrones et horrendum
gladiatorum populum, vel fletum desinere vel omnino
vivere potero ? " Lamentata sic, et animi dolore et
faucium tundore et corporis lassitudine iam fatigata,
2"> marcentes oculos demisit ad soporem ; at commodum
conniverat nee diu, cum repente lymphatico ritu
somno recussa est1 longeque vehementius afflictare
sese et pectus etiam palmis infestis tundere et
faciem illam luculentam verberare incipit, et aniculae
quamquam instantissime causas novi et instaurati
maeroris requirenti sic assuspirans altius infit : " Em
nunc certe,, nunc maxime funditus perii, nunc spei
salutiferae renuntiavi : laqueus aut gladius aut certe
praecipitium procul dubio capessendum est." Ad
haec anus iratior dicere earn saeviore iam vultu
iubebat quid malum2 fleret vel quid repente post-
liminio pressae quietis lamentationes licentiosas

1 Something seems to be lost in the MSS after recussa.
Luetjohann's est is the simplest insertion.

2 It is quite possibly right to put commas before and after
malum, and to translate: "Why was she weeping, the
plaguey thing?"

180

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK tt

woman and commanded her to sit by the maiden,
and pacify her dolour as much as she might. And
they departed away to rob, as they accustomed to do,
but the virgin would not assuage her griefs nor
mitigate her sorrow by any entreaty of the old
woman, but howled and sobbed, shaking her bosom
with her sighs, in such sort that she made me (poor
ass) likewise to weep, and thus she said : ee Alas ! can
I, poor wretch, that am come of so good a house,
being now forsaken of all my dear parents, my many
friends and great house and family, made a rapine
and prey, closed servilely in this stony prison, de-
prived of all the pleasures wherein I have been
brought up, thrown in danger, ready to be rent in
pieces amongst so many sturdy thieves and dreadful
robbers, can I (I say) cease from weeping or live any
longer ? " Thus she cried and lamented, and after
she had wearied herself with sorrow and beating of
her breast, she closed the windows of her hollow eyes
to sleep : but scarce had she slept, but she rose again,
like a furious and mad woman, and did afflict herself
more violently than before, and beat her breast and
comely face with her cruel hands. Then the old
woman enquired the cause of her new and sudden
lamentation, to whom (sighing in pitiful sort) she
answered : " Alas ! now I am utterly undone, now I
am out of all hope. O, give me a knife to kill me or
a halter to hang me, or a precipice that I may throw
me down therefrom" : whereat the old woman was
lore angry, and severely commanded her to tell her
cause of her sorrow, and why after her sleep she
should renew her dolour and miserable weeping.

181

LUCIUS APULEIUS

refricaret: "Nimirum" inquit " Tanto compendio
tuae redemptionis defraudare iuvenes meos destinas :
quod si pergis ulterius, iam faxo lacrimis istis, quas
parvi pendere latrones consueruiit, insuper habitis
viva exurare."

26 Tali puella sermone deterrita,, manuque ems ex-
osculata, " Farce " inquit "Mi parens, et durissimo
casui meo, pietatis humanae memor, subsiste paululum ;
nee enim, ut reor, aevo longiore maturatae tibi in ista
sancta canitie miseratio prorsus exaruit. Specta deni-
que scaenam meae calamitatis : speciosus adulescens
inter suos principals, quern nlium publicum omnis
sibi civitas cooptavit,, meus alioquin consobrintis, tan-
tulo triennio maior in aetate, qui mecum primis ab
annis nutritus et adultus individuo contubernio do-
musculae, immo vero cubiculi torique sanctae caritatis
affectione mutuo mini pigneratus, votisque nuptiah-
bus pacto iugali pridem destinatus, consensu paren-
tum tabulis etiani maritus nuncupatus, ad nuptias
officio frequenti cognatorum et affiniura stipatus tem-
plis et aedibus publicis victimas immolabat : domus
tota lauris obsita, taedis lucida constrepebat hyme-
naeum. Tune me gremio suo mater infelix tolerans
mundo nuptiali decenter ornabat, mellitisque saviis
crebriter ingestis iam spem futuram liberorum votis
anxiis propagabat, cum irruptionis subitae gladiatorum
impetus ad belli faciem saeviens, nudis et infestis
nuicronibus coruscans ; non caedi, non rapinae manus
affei-unt, sed denso conglobatoque cuneo cubiculum
nostrum inuadunt protinus : nee ullo de familiaribus
nostris repugnante ac ne tantillum quidem resistente,
miseram, exanimem saevo pavore, trepidam x de

l Oudendorp's suggestion for the MSS' trepido.
J82

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

"What, think you/' quoth she, "To deceive our
young men of the price of your ransom ? No. no ;
therefore cease your crying, for the thieves do little
esteem your tears, and if you will still weep, I will
surely burn you alive."

Hereat the maiden was greatly afraid, and kissed
her hand and said : " O mother, take pity upon me
and my wretched fortune, for the sake of human
kindness, for I think there be mercy ripe and frank
in your venerable hoar head, and hear the sum of my
calamity. There was a comely young man of the
first rank in the city, who for his bounty and grace
was beloved entirely as a son of all the town, my
cousin-germain, and but three years older than I ;
from our early years we two were nourished and
brought up in one house, and lay under one roof,
aye, in one chamber and bed, and at length by
promise of marriage and by consent of our parents
we were by law contracted together ; the marriage
day was come, my spouse was accompanied with his
parents, kinsfolk, and friends, and made sacrifice in
the temples and public places ; the whole house was
garnished with laurel, and torches were set in every
place as they chanted in honour of Hymenaeus, and
when my unhappy mother was pampering me in her
lap and decking me like a bride, kissing me sweetly
and praying earnestly for the hope of future children,
behold there came in suddenly a great multitude of
thieves, armed like men of war, with naked swords in
their hands, who went not about to do any slaughter,
neither to take anything away, but brake into the
chamber where I was, and violently took me, now
half dead with fear, out of my mother's arms, when
none of the family would fight nor resist ever so little.
In this sort was our marriage broken and disturbed,

183

LUCIUS APULEIUS

medio matris gremio rapuere. Sic ad instar Athra-
cidis x et Protesilai dispectae disturbataeque nuptiae.

27 Sed ecce saevissimo somnio mihi nunc etiam redinte-
gratur, immo vero cumulatur infortunium meum :
nam visa sum mihi de domo, de ihalamo, de cubiculo,
de toro denique ipso violenter extracta per solitudines
avias infortunatissimi mariti nomen invocare, eumque,
ut primum meis amplexibus viduatus est, adhuc un-
guentis madidum, coronis florid um consequi vestigio
me pedibus fugientem alienis : utque clamore percito
formosae raptum uxoris conquerens populi testatur
auxilium, quidam de latronibus importunae perse-
cutionis indignatione permotus saxo grandi pro pedi-
bus arrepto misellum iuvenem maritum meum per-
cussum interemit : talis aspectus atrocitate perterrita
somno funesto pavens excussa sum." Tune fletibus
eius assuspirans anus sic incipit : " Bono animo esto,
mi herilis, nee vanis somniorum figmentis terreare :
nam praeter quod diurnae quietis imagines falsae
perhibentur, tune etiam nocturnae visiones contrarios
eventus nonnunquam pronuntiant. Denique flere et
vapulare et nonnunquam iugulari lucrosum prosper-
umque proventum nuntiant, contra ridere et mellitis
dulciolis ventrem saginare vel in voluptatem Vene-
riam convenire tristitiae animi, languori corporis
damnisque ceteris anxiatum iri praedicant. Sed ego
te narrationibus lepidis anilibusque fabulis protinus
avocabo " ; et incipit : .

28 " Erant in quadam civitate rex et regina : hi tres
numero filias forma conspicuas habuere, sed maiores
quidem natu, quamvis gratissima specie, idonee
tamen celebrari posse laudibus humanis credebantur,

1 So Beroaldus for the MSS' Attidia.

184

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

like the marriage of Hippodamia and Protesilaus:
but behold, good mother, now my unhappy fortune is
renewed and increased : for I dreamed in my sleep
that I was pulled out of our house, out of our chamber,
and out of my bed, and that I roamed about in solitary
and unknown places, calling upon the name of my
unfortunate husband, and that he, when he was
robbed of my embrace, even still smelling of per-
fumes and crowned with garlands, did trace me by
my steps as I fled on feet not mine own, desiring the
aid of the people to assist him, in that his fair wife
was violently stolen away : and as he went crying up
and down, one of the thieves, moved with indignation
by reason of his pursuit, took up a great stone that lay
at his feet and threw it at my husband, poor youth,
and killed him : by the terror of which sight I awaked
in fear from so dreadful a sleep." Then the old woman,
rendering out like sighs, began to speak in this sort :
" My lady, take a good heart unto you, and be not
afraid at feigned or strange visions or dreams, for as
the visions of the day are accounted false and untrue,
so the visions of the night do often chance contrary :
and indeed to dream of weeping, beating, and killing
is a token of good luck and prosperous change,
whereas contrary, to dream of laughing, filling the
-belly with good cheer, or dalliance of love, is sign of
sadness of heart, sickness of body, or other displeasure.
But I will tell thee a pleasant old wives' tale to put
away all thy sorrow and to revive thy spirits " ; and
so she began in this manner :

"There was sometime a certain king, inhabiting
in the west parts, who had to wife a noble dame, by
whom he had three daughters exceeding fair : of
whom the two elder were of most comely shape and
beauty, yet they did not excel all the praise and

185

LUCIUS APULEIUS

at vero puellae iunioris tarn praecipua, tarn praeclara
pulchritude nee exprimi ac ne sufficienter quidem
laudari sermonis human! penuria poterat. Multi deni-
que civium et advenae copiosi, quos eximii spectaculi
rumor studiosa celebritate congregabat, inaccessae
formositatis admiratione stupidi et admoventes ori-
bus suis dexteram primore digito in erectum pollicem
residente ut ipsam prorsus deam Venerem venera-
bantur religiosis adorationibus. lamque proximas
civitates et attiguas regiones fama pervaserat deam,
quamcaerulum profundum pelagi peperit et ros spu-
mantium fluctuum educavit, iam numinis sui passim
tributa venia in mediis conversari populi coetibus, vel
certe rursum novo caelestium stillarum germine non
maria, sed terras Venerem aliam, virginali flore prae-
29 ditam, pullulasse. Sic immensum procedit in dies
opinio, sic insulas iam proxumas et terrae plusculum-
provinciasque plurimas fama porrecta pervagatur :
iam multi mortalium longis itineribus atque altissimis
inaris meatibus ad saeculi specimen gloriosum con-
fluebant : Paphon nemo, Cnidon nemo ac ne ipsa
quidem Cythera ad conspectum deae Veneris naviga-

1 As in the modern actress's gesture of "blowing a kiss."
Pliny (Natural History, xxviu. 2) tells us that " in adoring

186

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

commendation of mortal speech ; but the singular
passing beauty and maidenly majesty of the youngest
daughter was so far excellent, that no earthly tongue
could by any means sufficiently express or set out the
same: by reason whereof the citizens and strangers
there, being inwardly pricked by zealous affection
to behold her famous person, came daily by thou-
sands to see her, and as astonied with admiration of
her incomparable beauty did no less worship and
reverence her, bringing their right hands to their
lips,1 with the forefinger laid against the thumb, as
tokens, and with other divine adorations, as if she were
Lady Venus indeed : and shortly after the fame was
spread into the next cities and bordering regions that
the goddess whom the deep seas had borne and
brought forth, and the froth of the foaming waves
had nourished (to the intent to shew her high
magnificency and power in earth to such as before
did honour and worship her) was now conversant
amongst mortal men, or else that the earth and not
the seas, by a new concourse and influence of the
celestial planets, had budded arid yielded forth a
new Venus, endued with the flower of virginity. So
daily more and more increased this opinion, and now
was her flying fame dispersed into the next islands
and well nigh into every part and province of the
whole world. Whereupon innumerable strangers
resorted from far countries, adventuring themselves
by long journeys on land and by great travels on
water, to behold this wonder of the age. By occasion
whereof such a contempt grew towards the goddess
Venus, that no person travelled unto the town
Paphos nor unto Cnidos, no nor to the isle Cythera

the gods and doing reverence to their images, we use to kiss
our right hand and turn about with our whole body."

187

LUCIUS APULEIUS

bant. Sacra diae praetereuntur, templa deformantur,
pulvinaria proteruntur,1 caerimoniae negleguntur ; in-
coronata simulacra et arae viduae frigido cinere
foedatae. Puellae supplicatur, et in humanis vul-
tibus deae tantae numina placantur, et in matutino
progressu virginis victimis et epulis Veneris absentis
nomen propitiatur, iamque per plateas commeantem
populi frequenter floribu* sertis et solutis appre-
cantur.

"Haec honorum caelestium ad puellae mortalis
cultum immodica translatio verae Veneris vehe-
menter incendit animos, et impatiens indignationis,
capite quassanti fremens altius, sic secum disserit :
SO 'En rerum naturae prisca parens, en elementorum
origo initialis, en orbis totius alma Venus, quae cum
mortali puella partiario maiestatis honore tractor et
nomen meum caelo conditum terrenis sordibus pro-
fanatur! Nimirum communi numinis piamento
vicariae venerationis incertum sustinebo, et ima-
ginem meam circumferet puella moritura. Frustra
me pastor ille, cuius iustitiam fidemque magnus
comprobavit lupiter, ob eximiam speciem tantis
praetulit deabus. Sed non adeo gaudens ista, quae-
cumque est, meos honores usurpaverit : iam faxo

i Salmasias1 correction of the T&SS'proferuntur.
188

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

to worship her. Her liturgies were left out, her
temples defaced, her couches 1 contemned, her cere-
monies neglected, and her bare altars unswept and
foul with the ashes of old burnt sacrifice. For why,
every person honoured and worshipped this maiden
instead of Venus, calling upon the divinity of that
great goddess in a human form, and in the morning
at her first coming abroad, offered unto her oblations,
provided banquets, called her by the name of Venus
which was not Venus indeed, and in her honour, as
she walked in the streets, presented flowers and
garlands in most reverent fashion.

" This sudden change and alteration of celestial
honour unto the worship of a mortal maiden did
greatly inflame and kindle the mind of very Venus,
who (unable to temper herself from indignation,
shaking her head in raging sort) reasoned with her-
self in this manner : ' Behold I, the original of nature,
the first beginning of all the elements, behold I, the
Lady Venus of all the world, am now joined with a
mortal maiden as a partaker of my honour ; my name,
registered in the city of heaven, is profaned and
made vile by terrene absurdities. If I shall suffer
any mortal creature to present my majesty in earth,
and must be content with sharing the godhead and
receiving worship through other, or that any girl
that one day is to die shall bear about a false sur-
mised shape of my person, then in vain did Paris
that shepherd (in whose just judgement and con-
fidence the great Jupiter had affiance) prefer me
above the other great goddesses for the excellency
of my beauty : but she, whatsoever she be, shall not

i Pulvinaria : cushions used in certain public feasts and
processions of the gods.

189

LUCIUS APULEIUS

huius etiam ipsius illicitae formositatis paeniteat/
Et vocat confestim puerum suum pinnatum ilium et
satis temerarium, qui malis suis moribus contempta
disciplina publica, flammis et sagittis armatus per
alienas domos nocte discurrens et omnium matri-
monia corrumpens impune committit tanta flagitia,
et nihil prorsus boni facit. Hunc, quamquam genuiria
licentia procacem, verbis quoque insuper stimulat et
perducit ad illam civitatem et Psychen — hoc enim
SI nomine puella nuncupabatur — coram ostendit et,
tota ilia perlata de formositatis aemulatione fabula,
gemens ac fremens indignatione ' Per ego te ' inquit
( Maternae caritatis foedera deprecor., per tuae sagit-
tae dulcia vulnera, per flammae istius mellitas ure-
dines, vindictam tuae parenti sed plenam tribue et
in pulchritudinem contumacem severiter1 vindica,
idque unum et prae omnibus unicum volens effice :
virgo ista amore flagrantissimo teneatur hominis
extremi, quern et dignitatis et patrimonii simul et
incolumitatis ipsius Fortuna damnavit, tamque in-
fimi ut per totum orbem non inveniat miseriae suae
comparem.' Sic effata, et osculis hiantibus filium diu
ac pressule saviata proximas oras reflui litoris petit,
plantisque roseis vibrantium fluctuum summo rore
calcato, ecce iam profundum 2 maris sudo resedit
vertice, et, ipsum quod incipit velle, et statim, quasi
pridem praeceperit, non moratur marinum obse-

l The MSS have reverenter, which does not make very good
pense. The alteration is due to Brant.

a The MSS and older editions had profundi, in which case the

. 190

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

for nought have usurped mine honour, but she shall
shortly repent her of her unlawful loveliness.'

" Then by and by she called her winged son Cupid,
rash enough and hardy, who by his evil manners,
contemning all public justice and law, armed with
fire and arrows, running up and down in the nights
from house to house, and corrupting the lawful
marriages of every person, doth nothing (and yet he
is not punished) but that which is evil : and although
he were of his own proper nature sufficient prone to
work mischief, yet she egged him forward with words
and brought him to the city, and shewed him Psyche
(for so the maiden was called) and having told him of
her rival beauty, the cause of her anger, not without
great rage, ' 1 pray thee,' quoth she, ' My dear child,
by the motherly bond of love, by the sweet wounds
of thy piercing darts, by the pleasant heat of thy fire,
revenge fully the injury which is done to thy mother
upon the false and disobedient beauty of a mortal
maiden ; and this beyond all I pray thee without
delay, that she may fall in desperate love with the
most miserable creature living, the most poor, the
most crooked, and the most vile, that there may be
none found in all the world of like wretchedness.'
When she had spoken these words, she embraced
long and kissed often her son, and took her voyage
towards the shore hard by, where the tides flow to
and fro : and when she was come there, and had
trodden with her rosy feet upon the top of the
trembling waters, then the deep sea became ex-
ceeding calm upon its whole surface, and at her will,
as though she had before given her bidding, straight-
meaning would be that Venus took her seat on the sea. Koehler's
correction profundum (a substantive, as in ch. 28) is a great
improvement, and the sense now is that the sea became calm.

191

LUCIUS APULEIUS

quium. Adsunt Nerei filiae chorum canentes, et
Portunus caerulis barbis hispidus, et gravis piscoso
sinu Salacia, et auriga parvulus delphini Palaemon :
iam passim maria persultantes Tritonum catervae ;
hie concha sonaci leniter buccinat, ille serico tegmine
flagrantiae solis obsistit inimici, alius sub oculis
dominae speculum progerit, curru biiuges alii sub-
natant. Talis ad Oceanum pergentem Venerem
comitatur exercitus.

32 t( Interea Psyche cum sua sibi perspicua pulchri-
tudine nullum decoris sui fructum percipit. Spec-
tatur ab omnibus, laudatur ab omnibus, nee quisquam,
non rex, non regius, nee de plebe saltern cupiens
eius nuptiarum petitor accedit : mirantur quidem
divinam speciem, sed ut simulacrum fabre politum
mirantur omnes. Olim duae maiores sorores, quarum
temperatam formositatem nulli difFamarant populi,
procis regibus desponsae iam beatas nuptias adeptae,
sed Psyche virgo vidua domi residens deflet desertam
suam solitudinem, aegra corporis, animi saucia, et
quamvis gentibus totis complacitam odit in se suam
formositatem.

"Sic infortunatissimae filiae miserrimus pater, sus-
pectatis caelestibus odiis et irae superum metuens,
dei Milesii vetustissimum percontatur oraculum et a
tanto numine precibus et victimis ingratae virgini
petit nuptias et maritum. Sed Apollo, quamquam
192

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

way appeared her servitors from the deep : for
incontinent came the daughters of Nereus singing
with tunes melodiously ; Portunus with his bristled
and rough beard of azure ; Salacia with her bosom
full of fish ; Palaemon the little driver of the dolphin ;
and the bands of Triton trumpeters leaping hither
and thither, the one blowing on his shell with
heavenly noise, another turning aside with a silken
veil the burning heat of the fierce sun, another
holding her mirror before his lady's eyes, others,
yoked two together, swimming beneath her car.
Such was the company which followed Venus
marching towards the middest Ocean.

"In the mean season Psyche with all her beauty
received no fruit of her honour. She was wondered
at of all, she was praised of all, but she perceived
that no king nor prince nor any of the inferior sort
did repair to woo her. Every one marvelled at her
divine beauty, but only as it were at some image well
painted and set out. Her other two sisters, whose
lesser beauty was nothing so greatly exalted by the
people, were royally married to two kings, but the
virgin Psyche sitting at home alone lamented her
solitary life, and being disquieted both in mind and
body (although she pleased all the world) yet hated
she in herself her own beauty.

" Whereupon the miserable father of this unfortu-
nate daughter, suspecting that the gods and powers
of heaven did envy her estate, went into the town
called Miletus to receive the most ancient oracle of
Apollo, where he made his prayers and offered
sacrifice, and desired a husband for his neglected
daughter ; but Apollo, though he were a Grecian of
the country of Ionia, yet for the sake of him that

N 193

LUCIUS APULEIUS

Graecus et lonicus, propter Milesiae conditorem sic
Latina sorte respondit :

33 ' Montis in excelsi scopulo, rex, siste puellam

Ornatam naundo funerei thalami :
Nee speres generum mortali stirpe creatum,

Sed saevum atque ferum vipereumque malum,
Quod pinnis volitans super aethera cuncta fatigat

Flammaque et ferro singula debilitat ;
Quod tremit ipse lovis, quo numina terrificantur,

Fluminaque horrescunt et Stygiae tenebrae.'

Rex, olim beatus, affatu sanctae vaticinationis accepto
pigens tristisque retro domum pergit suaeque coniugi
praecepta sortis enodat infaustae. Maeretur, fletur,
lamentatur diebus plusculis : sed dirae sortis iam ur-
get taeter effectus, iam feralium nuptiarum miserri-
mae virgini choragium struitur, iam taedae lumen
atrae fuliginis cinere marcescit, et sonus tibiae zygiae
mutatur in querulum Lydii modum, cantusque laetus
hymenaei lugubri finitur ululatu, et puella nuptura
deterget lacrimas ipso suo flammeo. Sic affectae do-
mus triste fatum cuncta etiam civitas congemebat,
luctuque publico confestim congruens edicitur ius-
titium.

34 " Sed monitis caelestibus parendi necessitas misel-
lam Psychen ad destinatam poenam efflagitabat : per-
fectis igitur feralis thalami cum summo maerore
sollemnibus toto prosequente populo vivum produci-
tur funus et lacrimosa Psyche comitatur non nuptias
194

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

telleth this Milesian tale, gave answer in Latin
verse, the sense whereof was this :

( Let Psyche's corpse be clad in mourning weed

And set on rock of yonder hill aloft :
Her husband is no wight of human seed,

But serpent dire and fierce as may be thought,
Who flies with wings above in starry skies

And doth subdue each thing with fiery flight.
The gods themselves and powers that seem so
wise

With mighty Jove be subject to his might;
The rivers black and deadly floods of pain
And darkness eke as thrall to him remain.'

The king, beforetimes happy, when he heard the
prophecy of Apollo, returned home sad and sor-
rowful, and declared to his wife the miserable and
unhappy fate of his daughter : then they began to
lament and weep, and passed over many days in
great sorrow. But now was the sad fulfilment of
the oracle at hand, now the time approached of
Psyche's funeral marriage ; preparation was made,
the torches burned weakly with black and sooty
flame, the pleasant sound of the nuptial flute was
turned into the sad Lydian strains, the melody of
Hymeriaeus was ended with deadly howling, the
maiden that should be married did wipe her eyes
with her veil ; all the people of the city wept likewise
the gloomy fate of a fallen house ; and with great
lamentation was ordained a public mourning for that
day.

" But necessity compelled that poor Psyche should
be brought to her appointed doom, according to the
divine commandment ; and when the solemnity of
the wretched wedding was ended with great sorrow,

195

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sed exequias suas. Ac dum maesti parentes et tanto
malo perciti nefarium facinus perficere cunctantur,
ipsa ilia filia talibus eos adhortatur vocibus : < Quid
infelicem senectam fletu diutino cruciatis? Quid
spiritum vestrum, qui magis meus est, crebris eiula-
tibus fatigatis ? Quid lacrimis inefficacibus ora mihi
veneranda foedatis ? Quid laceratis in vestris oculis
mea lumina ? Quid canitiem scinditis ? Quid pec-
tora_, quid ubera sancta tunditis ? Haec erunt vobis
egregiae formositatis meae praeclara praemia? In-
vidiae nefariae letali plaga percussi sero sentitis.
Cum gentes et populi celebrarent nos divinis honori-
bus, cum novam me Venerem ore consono nuncu-
parent, tune dolere, tune flere, tune me iam quasi
peremptam lugere debuistis : iam sentio, iam video
solo me nomine Veneris perisse. Ducite me, et cui
sors addixit scopulo sistite : festino felices istas nup-
tias obire, festino generosurn ilium maritum meum
videre. Quid differo ? Quid detrecto venientem
35 qui totius orbis exitio natus est ? ' Sic profata virgo
conticuit ingressuque iam valido pompae populi pro-
sequentis sese miscuit. Itur ad constitutum scopu-
lum montis ardui, cuius in summo cacumine statutam
puellam cuncti deserunt, taedasque nuptiales. quibus
praeluxerant, ibidem lacrimis suis extinctas relin-
quentes deiectis capitibus domuitionem parant, et
miseri quidem parentes eius tanta clade defessi
clausae domus abstrusi tenebris perpetuae nocti sese

196

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

all the people followed the living corpse, and they
went to bring this sorrowful spouse, not to her
marriage, but to her final end and burial. And
while the father and mother of Psyche did go for-
ward, weeping and crying and delaying to do this
enterprise, Psyche spake unto them in this sort :
' Why torment you your unhappy age with continual
dolour ? Why trouble you your breath, which is
more rather mine than yours, with these many cryings ?
Why soil ye with useless tears your faces which I
ought to adore and worship ? Why tear you my eyes
when ye tear yours ? Why pull you your hoar hairs ?
Why knock you your breasts that are holy to me ?
Now you see the reward of my excellent beauty :
now, now, you perceive (but too late) the deadly
plague of envy. When the people did honour me
with divine honours and all together call me new
Venus, then you should have grieved, then you
should have wept, then you should have sorrowed,
as though I had been then dead : for now I see and
perceive that I am come to this misery by the only
name of Venus. Bring me, and (as fortune hath
appointed) place me on the top of the rock ; I
greatly desire to end my happy marriage, I greatly
covet to see my noble husband. Why do I delay ?
Why should I refuse him that is appointed to
destroy all the world ? ' Thus ended she her words,
and thrust herself with strong gait amongst the people
that followed : then they brought her to the ap-
pointed rock of the high hill, and set her thereon
and so departed. The torches and lights were put
out with the tears of the people, and every man
gone home with bowed heads : the miserable parents,
well nigh consumed with sorrow, closed themselves
in their palace and gave themselves to everlasting

197

LUCIUS APULEIUS

dedidere. Psychen autem paventem ac trepidam
et in ipso scopuli vertice deflentem mitis aura mol-
liter spirantis Zephyri, vibratis hinc inde laciniis et
reflate sinu, sensim levatam suo tranquillo spiritu
vehens paulatim per devexa rupis excelsae, vallis
subditae florentis caespitis gremio leniter delapsam
reclinat.

198

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IV

darkness. Thus poor Psyche being left alone weep-
ing and trembling on the highest top of the rock, there
came a gentle air of softly breathing Zephyrus and
carried her from the hill, with a meek wind, which
retained her garments up, and by little and little
brought her down into a deep valley, where she was
laid in a soft grassy bed of most sweet and fragrant
flowers.

199

LIBER V

1 " PSYCHE teneris et herbosis locis in ipso toro roscidi
graminis suave recubans, tanta mentis perturbatione
sedata, dulce conquievit. lamque sufficient! recreata
somno placido resurgit animo : videt lucum proceris
et vastis arboribus consitum, videt fontem vitreo latice
perlucidum medio luci meditullio. Prope fontis al-
lapsum domus regia est, aedificata non humanis
manibus sed divinis artibus : iam scies ab introitu
primo dei cuiuspiam luculentum et amoenum videre
te diversorium. Nam summa laquearia, citro et ebore
curiose cavata, subeunt aureae columnae, parietes
omnes argenteo caelamine conteguntur, bestiis et id
genus pecudibus occurrentibus ob os introeuntium.
Mirus prorsum homo, immo semideus vel certe deus,
qui magnae artis subtilitate tantum efferavit argentum :
enimvero pavimenta ipsa lapide pretioso caesim de-
minuto in varia picturae genera discriminantur :
vehementer iterum ac saepius beatos illos qui super
gemmas et monilia calcant ! Iam ceterae partes longe
200

"THUS fair Psyche being sweetly couched amongst
the soft and tender herbs, as in a bed of dewy grass
and fragrant flowers, and having qualified the troubles
and thoughts of her restless mind, was now well
reposed : and when she had refreshed herself suffi-
ciently with sleep, she rose with a more quiet and
pacified mind, and fortuned to espy a pleasant wood
environed with great and mighty trees, and likewise
a running river as clear as crystal ; in the middest
and very heart of the woods, well nigh at the fall of
the river, was a princely edifice, wrought and builded,
not by the art or hand of man, but by the mighty
power of a god : and you would judge at the first
entry therein, that it were some pleasant and worthy
mansion for the powers of heaven. For the embow-
ings above were curiously carven out of citron and
ivory, propped and undermined with pillars of gold ;
the walls covered and seeled with silver ; divers sorts
of beasts were graven and carved, that seemed to
encounter with such as entered in : all things were
so curiously and finely wrought, that it seemed either
to be the work of some demigod, or God himself, that
put all these beasts into silver. The pavement was
all of precious stone, divided and cut one from another,
whereon was carved divers kinds of pictures, in such
sort that blessed and thrice blessed were they which
might go upon such a pavement of gems and orna-

201

LUCIUS APULE1US

lateque dispositae domus sine pretio pretiosae totique
parietes solidati massis aureis splendore proprio corus-
cant, ut diem suum sibi domus faciat licet sole no-
lente ; sic cubicula, sic porticus, sic ipsae valvae ful-
gurant. Nee setius opes ceterae maiestati domus
respondent, ut equidem illud recte videatur ad con-
versationem humanam magno lovi fabricatum caeleste
palatium.

2 " Invitata Psyche talium locorum oblectatione
propius accessit et paulo fidentior intra limen sese
facit, mox prolectante studio pulcherrimae visionis
rimatur singula et altrinsecus aedium horrea sublimi
fabi'ica perfecta magnisque congesta gazis conspicit ;
nee est quicquam quod ibi non est : sed praeter cete-
ram tantarum divitiarum admirationem hoc erat
praecipue mirificum, quod nullo vinculo, nullo claustro,
nullo custode totius orbis thesaurus ille muniebatur.
Haec ei summa cum voluptate visenti offert sese vox
quaedam corporis sui nuda, et ' Quid,' inquit ' Do-
mina, tantis obstupescis opibus ? Tua sunt haec
omnia. Prohinc cubiculo te refer, et lectulo lassitu-
dinem refove, et ex arbitrio lavacrum pete. Nos
quarum voces accipis, tuae famulae ; sedulo tibi prae-
Tninistrabimus nee corporis curatae tibi regales epulae
morabuntur.'

3 " Sensit Psyche divinae providentiae beatitudinem
monitusque, voces informes audiens, et prius somno
et mox lavacro fatigationem sui diluit, visoque statim
proximo semirotundo suggestu, propter instrumentum
202

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

merits : every part and angle of the house was So
well adorned by the precious stones and inestimable
treasure there, and the walls were so solidly built up
with great blocks of gold, that glittered and shone
in such sort that the chambers, porches, and doors
gave out the light of day as it had been the sun.
Neither otherwise did the other treasure of the house
disagree unto so great a majesty, that verily it seemed
in every point a heavenly palace fabricated and
builded for Jupiter himself wherein to dwell among
men. i

" Then Psyche, moved with delectation, approached
nigh, and taking a bold heart entered into the house
led on by the beauty of that sight, and beheld every-
thing there with great affection : she saw storehouses
wrought exceeding fine, and replenished with abund-
ance of riches, and finally, there could nothing be
devised which lacked there, but amongst such great
store of treasure, this was more marvellous, that there
was no closure, bolt, or lock, and no guardian to keep
the same. And when with great pleasure she viewed
all these things, she heard a voice without any body,
that said : ' Why do you marvel, lady, at so great
riches ? Behold all that you see is at your^'command-
ment : wherefore go you into the chamber and repose
yourself upon the bed, and desire what bath you will
have, and we, whose voices you hear, be your ser-
vants, and ready to minister unto you according to
your desire : in the mean season, when you have
refreshed your body, royal meats and dainty dishes
shall be prepared for you.'

" Then Psyche perceived the felicity of divine
providence, and according to the advertisement of
the incorporeal voices she first reposed herself upon
the bed, and then refreshed her body in the bath.

203

LUCIUS APULEIUS

cenatorium rata refectui suo commodum, libens ac-
cumbit. Et illico vini nectarei eduliumque variorum
fercula copiosa, nullo serviente sed tantum spiritu
quodam impulsa, subministrantur : nee quemquam
tamen ilia videre poterat, sed verba tantum audiebat
excidentia et solas voces famulas habebat. Post
opimas dapes quid am introcessit et cantavit invisus
et alius citharam pulsavit, quae videbatur nee ipsa :
tune modulatae multitudinis conferta vox aures eius
affertur, ut, quamvis hominum nemo pareret, chorus
tamen esse pateret.

4 " Finitis. voluptatibus, vespera suadente, concedit
Psyche cubitum, iamque provecta nocte clemens
quidam sonus aures eius accedit. Tune virginitati
suae pro tanta solitudine metuens et pavet et horrescit,
et quovis malo plus timet quod ignorat : iamque
aderat ignobilis maritus et torum inscenderat et
uxorem sibi Psychen fecerat et ante lucis exortum
propere discesserat : statim voces eubiculo praesto-
latae novam nuptam interfectae virginitatis curant.
Haec diutino tempore sic agebantur, atque, ut est
natura redditum, novitas per assiduam consuetudinem
delectationem ei commendarat, et sonus vocis in-
certae solitudinis erat solacium. Interea parentes
eius indefesso luctu atque maerore consenescebant,
latiusque porrecta fama sorores illae maiores cuncta
204-

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

This done, she saw the table garnished with meats,
and a round chair to sit down, and gladly reposed
herself beside the array for dining, which she thought
was set very conveniently for her refreshment. Then
straightway all sorts of wines like nectar were brought
in, and plentiful dishes of divers meats, not by any-
body but as it were by some divine spirit or breath,
for she could see no person before her, but only hear
words falling on every side, and she had only voices
to serve her. After that all the rich services were
brought to the table, one came in and sang invisibly,
another played on the harp, and that, too, could not
be seen ; the harmony of a large concourse did so
greatly thrill in her ears, that though there were no
manner of person, yet seemed she in the midst of>
a great quire.

"All these pleasures finished, when night ap-
proached Psyche went to bed ; and when she was
laid, and the night far advanced, still a sweet sound
came about her ears ; then she greatly feared for her
virginity, because she was alone ; she trembled and
quaked the more for that she knew not what evil
might come to pass. Then came her unknown husband
to her bed, and after that he had made her his very
wife, he rose in the morning before day and departed.
Soon after came those invisible voices, consoling the
bride for that virginity she had lost, and thus she
passed a great while : and so (as it naturally hap-
pened) that which was first a novelty, by continual
custom did at last bring her great pleasure, but
specially the sound of the voices was a comfort unto
her being alone and knowing nothing of her estate.
During this time her father and mother did nothing
but weep and lament in their old age, and the fame
of it was all blown abroad, and her two sisters,

205

LUCIUS APULEIUS

cognorant, propereque maestae atque lugubres deserto
Lare certatim ad parentum suorum conspectum affa-
tumque perrexerant.

5 " Ea nocte ad suara Psychen sic infit maritus
(namque praeter oculos et manibus et auribus is non
nihil sentiebatur) : ' Psyche dulcissima et cara uxor,
exitiabile tibi periculum minatur fortuna saevior, quod
observandum pressiore cautela censeo. Sorores, iam
tuae mortis opinione turbatae tuumque vestigium
requirentes, scopulum istum protinus aderunt, quarum
si quas forte lamentationes acceperis, neque re-
spondeas, immo nee prospicias omnino ; ceterum
mihi quidem gravissimum dolorem, tibi vero summum
creabis exitium.'

" Annuit et ex arbitrio mariti se facturam spo-
pondit. sed eo simul cum nocte dilapso diem totum
lacrimis ac plangoribus misella consumit, se nunc
maxime prorsus perisse iterans^ quae beati carceris
custodia saepta et humanae conversationis colloquio
viduata nee sororibus quidem suis de se maerentibus
opem salutarem ferre ac ne videre eas quidem omnino
posset ; nee lavacro nee cibo nee ulla denique re-
fectione recreata flens ubertim decessit ad somnum.

6 Nee mora, cum paulo maturius lectum maritus ac-
cubans, eamque etiamnunc lacrimantem com plexus, sic
expostulat : ' Haecine mihi pollicebare, Psyche mea ?
Quid iam de te tuus maritus expecto, quid spero ?
Et perdia et pernox nee inter amplexus coniugales
desinis cruciatum. Age iam nunc ut voles et animo
tuo damnosa poscenti pare to : tantum memineris
meae seriae monitionis cum coeperis sero paenitere.'
206

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

hearing of her most miserable fortune, came with
great dolour and sorrow to see and speak with their
parents.

" Now on that very night Psyche's husband spake
unto her (for she might not know him with her eyes,
but only with her hands and ears) and said : ' O my
sweet spouse and dear wife, fortune doth menace unto
thee imminent peril and danger, whereof I wish thee
greatly to beware : for know thou that thy sisters,
thinking thou art dead, be greatly troubled and will
soon come to the mountain by thy footsteps ; whose
lamentations, if thou fortune to hear, beware that
thou do in no wise either make answer or look up
toward them. For if thou do, thou shalt purchase to
me a great sorrow, and to thyself utter destruction.'
Psyche (hearing her husband) promised that she
would do all things as he commanded, but after that
he was departed, and the night passed away, she
lamented and cried all day following, thinking that
now she was past all hope of comfort in that she was
both closed within the walls of a fine prison, deprived
of human conversation, and commanded not to aid or
assist her sorrowful sisters, no, nor once to see them.
Thus she passed all the day in weeping, and went to
bed at night without any refection of meat or bathing,
but incontinently after came her husband earlier than
he was wont, who (when he had embraced her sweetly)
as she still wept, began to say : ' Is it thus that you
perform your promise, my sweet wife ? What do I
find here, that am your husband ? What have I to
hope? Pass you all the day and the night in
weeping, and will you not cease even in your hus-
band's arms ? Go to, do what you will, purchase
your own destruction, and when you find it so, then
remember my words and repent, but too late.'

207

LUCIUS APULEIUS
"Tune ilia precibus et dum se morituram com-
minatur extorquet a marito cupitis annuat, ut sorores
videat, luctus mulceat, ora conferat : sic ille novae
nuptae precibus veniam tribuit, et insuper quibus-
cumque vellet eas auri vel monilium donare concessit,
sed identidem monuit ac saepe terruit, nequando
sororum pernicioso consilio suasa de forma mariti
quaerat, neve se sacrilega curiositate de tanto fortu-
narum suggestu pessum deiciatnec suum postea con-
tingat amplexum. Gratias egit marito, iamque laetior
' Sed prius ' inquit ' Centies moriar quam tuo isto
dulcissimo connubio caream : amo enim, et efflictim
te, quicumque es, diligo aeque ut meum spiritum,
nee ipsi Cupidini compare. Sed istud etiam meis
precibus, oro, largire et illi tuo famulo Zephyro prae-
cipe simili vectura sorores hie mihi sistat ' : et impri-
mens oscula suasoria et ingerens verba mulcentia et
iungens membra cohibentia, haec etiam blanditiis
astruit : ( Mi mellite, mi marite, tuae Psychae dulcis
anima.' Vi ac potestate Venerei susurrus invitus
succubuit maritus et cuncta se facturum spopondit,
atque iam luce proximante de manibus uxoris
evanuit.

7 " At illae sorores percontatae scopulum locumque
ilium, quo fuerat Psyche deserta, festinanter ad-
veniunt, ibique difflebant oculos et plangebant ubera,
quoad crebrisearum eiulatibus saxa cautesque parilem
208

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

" Then she desired her husband more and more,
assuring him that she should die, unless he would
grant her desire that she might see her sisters,
whereby she might speak with them and comfort
them ; whereat at length he was contented, and
moreover he willed that she should give them as
much gold and jewels as she would, but he gave her
a further charge, warning her often, and saying that
she should beware that she should covet not (being
moved by the pernicious counsel of her sisters) to see
the shape of his person, lest by her wicked curiosity
she should be deprived of so great and worthy estate
and nevermore feel his embrace.' Psyche being
glad herewith rendered unto him most entire
thanks and said : ' My honey, my husband, I
had rather die an hundred times than be separate
from your sweet company ; for whosoever you
be, I love and retain you within my heart, as
if you were mine own spirit, and I make you not
less than if you were Cupid himself: but I
pray you grant this likewise, that you would com-
mand your servant Zephyrus to bring my sisters
down into the valley, as he brought me, and place
them here ' ; wherewithal she kissed him sweetly,
and desired him with tender words to grant her
request, and clasped him closely to her bosom, calling
him her spouse, her sweetheart, her joy, her own
very soul, whereby she enforced him by the power of
her love (though unwilling) to her mind, and he
promised to do her will, and when morning came he
departed away from her arms.

"After long search made, the sisters of Psyche

came unto the hill where she had been set on the

rock, and cried with a loud voice and beat their

breasts, in such sort that the rocks and stones with

o 209

LUCIUS APULEiiJS
Somim resultarent. lamque nomine proprio sororehi
miseram ciebant, quoad sono penetrabili vocis ulula-
bilis per prona delapso amens et trepida Psyche pro-
currit e domo et, ( Quid ' inquit ' Vos miseris lamen-
tationibus nequicquam effligitis? Quam lugetis ad-
sum. Lugubres voces desinite, et diutinis lacrimis
madentes genas siccate tandem, quippe cum iam pos-
sitis quam plarigebatis amplecti.' Tune vocatum
Zephyrum praecepti maritalis admonet : nee mora,
cum ille parens imperio statim clementissimis flatibus
innoxia vectura deportat illas. Iam mutuis amplexi-
bus et festinantibus saviis sese perfruuntur, et illae
sedatae lacrimae postliminio redeunt prolectante
gaudio. ' Sed et tectum ' inquit ' Et Larem nostrum
laetae succedite, et afflictas animas cum Psyche vestra
8 recreate.' Sic allocuta summas opes domus aureae
vocumque servientium populosam familiam demon-
strat auribus earum, lavacroque pulcherrimo et in-
humanae mensae lautitiis eas opipare reficit, ut
illarum prorsus caelestium divitiarum copiis affluen-
tibus satiatae iam praecordiis penitus nutrirent in-
vidiam. Denique altera earum satis scrupulose
curioseque percontari non desinit, quis illarum cae-
lestium rerum dominus., quisve vel qualis ipsius sit
maritus : nee tamen Psyche coniugale illud praecep-
tum ullo pacto temerat vel pectoris arcanis exigit,
sed e re nata confingit esse iuvenem quendam et
speciosum, commodum lanoso barbitio genas inum-
brantem, plerumque rurestribus ac montanis venati-
210

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

echoes answered again their frequent howlings : and
when they called their sister by her name, so that
their lamentable cries came down the mountain unto
her ears, she came forth, very anxious and now almost
out of her mind, and said : ' Behold, here is she for
whom you weep ; I pray you torment yourself no
more, and dry those tears with which you have so
long wetted your cheeks, for now may you embrace
her for whom you mourned.'

" By and by she commanded Zephyrus by the ap-
pointment of her husband to bring them down ;
neither did he delay, for with gentle blasts he re-
tained them up, and laid them softly in the valley :
I am not able to express the often embracing, kissing,
and greeting which was between them three ; and
those tears which had been then laid apart sprang
forth again for joy. ' Come in/ quoth Psyche. ' Into
our house with gladness and refresh your afflicted
minds with meyoursister.' After this she shewed them
the storehouses of treasure, she caused them to hear
the great company of voices which served her, the
fair bath was made ready, and she entertained
them richly with dainty meats of her celestial table,
and when they had eaten and filled themselves with
divine delicacies they conceived great envy within
their hearts : and one of them being very curious in
every point, did not cease to demand what her hus-
band was, and who was the lord of so precious a
house ; but Psyche, remembering the promise which
she made to her husband, did not let it go forth from
the secret places of her heart, but with timely
colour feigned that he was a young man of comely
stature with soft down, rather than a beard, just
beginning to shadow his cheeks, and had great de-
light in hunting in the hills and dales hard by : and

211

be

LUCIUS APULEIUS

bus occupatum, et ne qua sermonis procedentis labe
consilium taciturn proderetur, auro facto gemmosis-
que monilibus onustas eas statim vocato Zephyro
tradit reportandas.

9 " Quo protenus perpetrate sorores egregiae domum
redeuntes, iamque gliscentis invidiae felle flagrantes
multa secum sermonibus mutuis perstrepebant : sic
denique infit altera : ' En orba et saeva et iniqua For-
tuna! Hocine tibi complacuit, ut utroque parente
prognatae diversam sortem sustineremus ? Et nos
quidem, quae natu maiores sumus, maritis advenis
ancillae deditae, extorres et Lare et ipsa patria de-
gamus longe parentum velut exulantes, haec auteic
novissima, quam fetu satiante postremus partus
effudit, tantis opibus et deo marito potita sit, quae
nee uti recte tanta bonorum copia novit? Vidisti,
soror, quanta in domo iacent et qualia monilia, quae
praenitent vestes, quae splendicant gemmae, quantum
praeterea passim calcatur aurum : quod si maritum
etiam tarn formosum tenet, ut affirmat, nulla nunc in
orbe toto felicior vivit. Fortassis tamen procedente
consuetudine et affectione roborata deam quoque
illam deus maritus efficiet. Sic est Hercule, sic se
gerebat ferebatque : iam iam sursum respicit et deam
spirat mulier, quae voces ancillas habet et ventis ipsis
imperitat. At ego misera primum patre meo seniorem.
maritum sortita sum, dein cucurbita calviorem et
212

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

lest by her long talk she should be found to trip or
fail in her words and betray her secret counsel, she
filled their laps with gold and ornaments of jewels,
and commanded Zephyrus to carry them away.

"When this was done these worthy sisters took
their ways homeward to their own houses, and the
poison of envy that they bare against Psyche grew
hot within them, so that they murmured with much
talk between them ; and one began : ' Behold a cruel
and contrary fortune ! Doth it It please thee
that we (born all of one parent) have divers des-
tinies, but especially we, that are the elder two, be
married to strange husbands, made as handmaidens,
and as it were banished from our country and friends;
whereas our younger sister, last born, which is ever the
weakest, hath so great abundance of treasure and
gotten a god to her husband, but hath no skill how
to use so great plenty of riches. Saw you not,
sister, what was in the house ? What great store of
jewels, what glittering robes, what gems, yea, what
gold we trod on ? So that if she have a goodly hus-
band according as she affirmeth there is none that
liveth this day more happy in all the world than
she. And so it may come to pass that at length,
if the great affection and love which he beareth
unto her do continually increase, he may make
her a goddess, for (by Hercules) such was her
port, so she behaved herself. Now already she
holds up her countenance, now she breathes the
goddess, that as a woman hath voices to serve her,
and lays her commands upon the winds. But I, poor
wretch, have first married a husband older than my
father, more bald than a coot,1 more weak than

1 The Latin uses another comparison : " balder than a
pumpkin."

LUCIUS APULEIUS

quovis puero pusilliorern, cuuctam domum seris et
catenis obditam custodientem.'

10 " Suscipit alia : ' Ego vero maritum articular! etiam
morbo complicatum curvaturaque, ac per hoc rarissimo
Venerem meam recolentem sustineo, plerumque de-
tortos et duratos in lapidem digitos eius perfricans,
fomentis olidis et pannis sordidis et faetidis cataplas-
matibus manus tarn delicatas istas adurens, nee uxoris
officiosam faciem sed medicae laboriosam personam
sustinens. Et tu quidem, soror, videris, quam patienti
vel potius servili — dicam enim libere quod sentio —
haec perferas animo : enimvero ego nequeo sustinere
ulterius tarn beatam fortunam illapsam l indignae.
Recordare enim quam superbe, quam arroganter
nobiscum egerit et ipsa iactatione immodicae ostenta-
tionis tumentem suum prodiderit animum, deque
tantis divitiis exigua nobis invita proiecerit, con-
festimque praesentia nostra gravata propelli et efflari
exsibilarique nos iusserit. Nee sum mulier nee
omnino spiro, iiisi earn pessum de tantis opibus deie-
cero. Ac si tibi etiam. ut par est^ inacuit nostra con-
tumeliajConsilium validuvn requiramns ambae. lamque
ista, quae ferimus> non parentibus nostris ac nee ulli
monstremus alii, immo nee omnino quicquam de eius
salute norimus : sat est quod ipsae vidimus quae
vidisse paenituit, nedum ut genitoribus et omnibus
populis tarn beatum eius differamus praeconium : nee
sunt enim beati quorum divitias nemo novit. Sciet
se 11011 ancillas sed sorores habere maiores : et nunc
quidem concedamus ad maritos et Lares pauperes
nostros sed plane sobrios revisamus diuque cogita-
tionibus pressioribus instructae ad superbiam poeni-

1 MSS collapsam. The alteration is due to Bluemner, but
other suggestions, such asLipsius' coUatamor Helui's aUapsam,
may as well be right.

214

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

a child, and one that locketh up all the house with
bolts and chains.'

"Then said the other sister : f And in faith 1 am
married to a husband that hath the gout, bent
crooked, not courageous in paying the debt of love ;
I am fain to rub and mollify his crabbed and stony
fingers, and I soil my white and dainty hands with
stinking plasters and rank-smelling salves and with
the corruption of filthy clouts, so that he uses me
not like a wife, but more like a surgeon's servant.
And you, my sister, seem to bear this with a patient,
nay (that I may speak freely) with a servile mind,
but I cannot abide to see our younger sister so
unworthy in such great felicity. Saw you not, I
pray, how proudly and arrogantly she handled us
even now, and how in vaunting herself she uttered
her presumptuous mind, how she cast grudgingly
a little gold into our laps, and (being weary of our
company) commanded that we should be borne and
blown and whistled away? Verily, I live not nor
am I a woman, but I will cast her utterly down from
her rich estate : and if you, my sister, as you should,
be so far made bitter herewith as I, let us consult
boldly together, and not shew this that we have to
any person, no, nor yet to our parents, nor tell that
we know that she liveth. For it sufficeth that we
have seen her, whom it repenteth to have seen :
neither let us declare her good fortune to our father,
nor to all the world, for they be not wealthy, whose
riches are unknown : so shall she know that she
hath not abject slaves, but very elder sisters. But
now let us go home to our husbands and poor houses,
that be yet honest enough, and when we are better
instructed with most careful plotting, let us return
the stronger to suppress her pride.' So this «-vil

LUCIUS APULEIUS

11 endam firmiores redeamus.' Placet pro bono duabus
mails malum consilium, totisque illis tam pretiosis
muneribus absconditis, comam trahentes et pvoinde
ut merebantur ora lacerantes simulates redintegrant
fletus. Ac sic parentes quoque redulcerato prorsum
dolore raptim deterrentes, vesania turgidae domus
suas contendunt dolum scelestum, immo vero parri-
cidium struentes contra sororem insontem.

11 Interea Psychen maritus ille quern nescit rursum
suis illis nocturnis sermonibus sic commonet : ' Videsne
quantum tibi periculum ? Velitatur Fortuna eminus
ac, nisi longe firmiter praecaves, mox comminus
congredietur. Perfidae lupulae magnis conatibus
nefarias insidias tibi comparant, quarum summa est,
ut te suadeant meos explorare vultus, quos, ut tibi
saepe praedixi, non videbis si videris. Ergo igitur si
posthac pessimae iliac lamiae noxiis animis armatae
venerint — venient autem, scio — neque omnino ser_
monem conferas et, si id tolerare pro genuina
simplicitate proque animi tui teneritudine non potu-
eris, certe de marito nil quicquam vel audias vel
respondeas : nam et familiam nostram iam pro-
pagabimus et hie adhuc infantilis uterus gestat nobis
infantem alium, si texeris nostra secreta silentio,

12 divinum, si profanaveris, mortalem.' Nuntio Psyche
laeta florebat et divinae subolis solacio plaudebat et
216

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

counsel seemed good to these two evil women, and
they hid that great treasure which Psyche gave them,
and tare their hair and befouled their faces renewing
their false and forged tears. Thus did they terrify
their father and mother, and doubled their sorrows
and griefs ; and then full of ire and farced with envy
they took their voyage homeward devising the hurt,
nay the slaughter and destruction of their harmless
sister.

" In the mean season the husband of Psyche, whom
she knew not, did warn her again in the night with
these words : f Seest thou not,' quoth he, ' What
peril and danger evil fortune doth threaten unto thee
from afar ? Whereof if thou take not good heed in
time, it will shortly come upon thee : for the un-
faithful harlots do greatly endeavour to set their
snares to catch thee, and their purpose is to make
and persuade thee to behold my face, which if thou
once fortune to see (as I have often told thee) thou
shalt see no more : wherefore if these naughty hags,
armed with wicked minds, do chance to come again
(as I think not otherwise but that they will) take
heed that thou talk not with them, but simply
suffer them to speak what they will ; howbeit, if
thou canst not restrain thyself for thy natural sim-
plicity and for the tender years of thy mind, beware
that thou have no communication of thy husband,
nor answer a word if they fortune to question of me.
So will we increase our stock, and thou hast a young
and tender child couched in this young and tender
belly of thine, who shall be made, if thou conceal
my secret, an immortal god, but otherwise a mortal
creature.' Then Psyche was very glad that she
should bring forth a divine babe, and proud of the
pledge that was to be born, and very joyful in that

217

LUCIUS APULEIUS

futuri pignoris gloria gestiebat et materni nominis
dignitate gaudebat : crescentes dies et menses
exeuntes anxia numerat, et sarcinae nesciae rudi-
mento miratur de brevi punctulo tantum incrcmen-
tulum locupletis uteri.

" Sed iam pestes illae taeterrimaeque furiae
anhelantes vipereum virus et festinantes impia
celeritate navigabant. Tune sic iterum momentarius
maritus suam Psychen admonet : * Dies ultima et
casus extremus : et sexus infestus et sanguis inimicus
iam sumpsit arma et castra commovit et aciem direxit
et classicum personavit ; iam mucrone destricto
iugulum tuum nefariae tuae sorores petunt Heu
quantis urguemur cladibus, Psyche dulcissima ! Tui
nostrique miserere, religiosaque continentia domum,
maritum, teque et istum parvulum nostrum im-
minentis ruinae infortunio libera, nee illas scelestas
feminas, quas tibi post internecivum odium et calcata
sanguinis foedera sorores appellare non licet, vel
videas vel audias, cum in morem Sirenum scopulo
promiiientes funestis vocibus saxa personabunt.'
13 "Suscipit Psyche singultu lacrimoso sermonem in-
certans : ' lamdudum, quod sciam, fidei atque par-
ciloquio meo perpendisti documenta, nee eo setius
approbabitur tibi nunc etiam tirmitas animi mei. Tu
modo Zephyro nostro rursum praecipe fungatur
obsequio, et in vicem denegatae sacrosanctae ima-
218

i) is

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

she should be honoured as a mother : she reckoned
and numbered carefully the days and months that
passed, and being never with child before, did marvel
greatly that her belly should swell so big from so
small a beginning.

" But those pestilent and wicked furies, breathing
out their serpentine poison, were hastening with
wicked speed to bring their enterprise to pass. Then
Psyche was warned again by her husband, while he
briefly tarried with her, in this sort : ' Behold the
last day and the extreme case. The enemies of thy
own sex and blood have armed themselves against us,
pitched their camps, set their host in array, sounded
for advance, and are now marching towards us,
for thy two sisters have drawn their swords and
are ready to slay thee. Oh with what force and
slaughter are we assailed this day, sweet Psyche : I
pray thee to take pity on thyself, and on me,
keep a seal on thy lips, and deliver thy husband,
and thyself, and this infant within thy belly from
so great and imminent a danger, and see not
neither hear these cursed women, which are not
worthy to be called thy sisters, for their great and
murderous hatred, and breach of sisterly amity, for
they will come (like Sirens) to the mountain, and
yield out therein their piteous and lamentable
cries.'

" When Psyche had heard these words, she sighed
sorrowfully and said : ' O dear husband, this long
time you have had experience and trial of my faith
and my silence, and doubt you not but that I will
persevere in the same stedfastness of mind : where-
fore command you our servant Zephyrus that he may
do as he hath done before, to the intent that instead
of your form that you have forbidden me to see, yet

219

LUCIUS APULEIUS
ginis tuae redde saltern conspectum sororum. Per
istos cinnameos et undique pendulos crines tuos, per
teneras et teretes et mei similes genas, per pectus
nescioquo calore fervidum, sic in hoc saltern parvulo
cognoscam faciem tuam : supplicis anxiae piis pre-
cibus erogatus germani complexus indulge fructum
et tibi devotae Psychae animam gaudio recrea. Nee
quicquam amplius in tuo vultu require, iam nil
officiunt mihi vel ipsae nocturnae tenebrae : teneo te
meum lumen.' His verbis et amplexibus mollibus
decantatus maritus, lacrimasque eius suis crinibus
detergens, se facturum spopondit et praevertit statim
lumen nascentis diei.

14 " lugum sororium consponsae factionis, ne parenti-
bus quidem visis, recta de navibus scopulum petunt
ilium praecipiti cum velocitate, nee venti ferentis
oppertae praesentiam, licentiosa cum temeritate
prosiliunt in altum. Nee immemor Zephyrus regalis
edicti, quamvis invitus, susceptas eas gremio spirantis
aurae solo reddidit. At illae incunctatae statim
conferto vestigio domum penetrant, complexaeque
praedam suam sorores nomine mentientes thesau-
rumque penitus abditae fraudis vultu laeto tegentes,
sic adulant : ' Psyche, non ita ut pridem parvula, et ipsa
iam mater es. Quantum, putas, boni nobis in ista
220

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

I may comfort myself with the sight of my sisters.
I pray you by this lovely and fragrant hair of yours
that hangs down, by these round cheeks, delicate
and tender like mine own, by your pleasant warm
breast, by that shape and face that I shall learn at
length by the child in my belly, hear the solemn
prayer of my anxious beseeching, grant the fruit of
my desire that I may embrace my sisters, refresh
your dear spouse Psyche with joy, who is bound and
linked unto you for ever. I little esteem to see your
visage and figure, little do I regard the night and
darkness, for I hold you in my arms, my only light.'
Her husband (being as it were enchanted with these
words, and compelled by violence of her often em-
bracing, wiping away her tears with his hair) did
yield unto his wife, and promised that which she
desired, and before morning was come departed as
he accustomed to do.

" Now her sisters, their plot well compacted,
arrived on land, and without even visiting of their
father and mother never rested till they came to
the rock, and there leaped down rashly from the
hill themselves, waiting not for the breeze that was
to bear them ; forgat not then Zephyrus the divine
commandment, and brought them down in the bosom
of the wind (though it were against his will) and
laid them in the valley without any harm. By and
by they went into the palace to their sister without
leave, and when they had eftsoons embraced their
prey, falsely assuming the shew of sisters, and hiding
the store of their malice beneath a smiling face, with
flattering words they said: 'O dear sister Psyche,
know you that you are now no more so slim and
slender, but already almost a mother ? O what
great joy bear you unto us in your belly ! What

221

LUCIUS APULEIUS
geris perula, quantis gaudiis totam domum nostram
hilarabis ! O nos beatas quas infantis aurei nutri-
menta laetabunt ! Qui si parentum, ut oportet,
pulchritudini respondent, prorsus Cupido nascetur.'

15 " Sic affectione simulata paulatim sororis inva-
dunt animum ; statimque eas lassitudine viae sedili-
bus refotas et balnearum vaporosis fontibus curatas
pulcherrime triclinio mirisque illis et beatis edulibus
atque tuccetis oblectat. lubet citharam loqui, psalli-
tur ; tibias agere, sonatur ; chores canere, cantatur :
quae cuncta nullo praesente dulcissiinis modulis ani-
mos audientium remulcebant. Nee tamen sceles-
tarum feminarum nequitia vel ipsa mellita cantus
dulcedine mollita conquievit, sed ad destinatam
fraudium pedicam sermonem conferentes dissimu-
lanter occipiunt sciscitari qualis ei maritus et unde
natalium, secta cuia proveniret. Tune ilia simpli-
citate nimia pristini sermonis oblita, novum com-
mentum instruit atque maritum suum de provincia
proxima magnis pecuniis negotiantem iam medium
cursum aetatis agere, interspersum rara canitie.
Nee in sermone isto tantillum morata rursum
opiparis muneribus eas onustas ventoso vehiculo
reddidit.

16 "Sed dum Zephyri tranquillo spiritu sublimatae
domum redeunt, sic secum altercantes : ' Quid, soror,
dicimus de tam monstruoso fatuae illius mendacio ?
222

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

a comfort will it be unto all the house ! How happy
shall we be that shall see this golden infant increase
and grow ! — who, if he be like his parents in beauty,
as it is necessary he should, there is no doubt but a
new Cupid shajl be born.'

" By this kind of pretended love they went about
to win Psyche by little and little ; but because they
were weary with travel, they sat them down in chairs,
and after that they had washed their bodies in warm
and pleasant baths, they went into a parlour, where
all those wonderful meats and goodly haggis were
ready prepared. Psyche commanded the harp to play,
and it was done ; the flute to sound, and so it was ;
to make a quire, and song brake forth : but no
person was seen, by whose sweet harmony and modu-
lation the sisters of Psyche were greatly delighted.
Howbeit the wickedness of these cursed women was
nothing suppressed by the sweet and honeyed noise
of these instruments, but they settled themselves to
work their treason and snare against Psyche, de-
manding with guile who was her husband, and of
what parentage or race he was : then she (having
forgotten, by too much simplicity, that which she had
before spoken of her husband) invented a new answer,
and said that her husband was of a near province, a
merchant in great affairs, and a man of a middle age,
having his head interspersed with a few grey hairs ;
which when she had shortly said (because she would
have no further talk) she filled their lap full of the
richest gifts, and bade them again be borne away
of the wind.

" In their return homeward, carried aloft by the
gentle breath of Zephyrus, they murmured with
themselves, saying : ' How say you, sister, to so great
and apparent a lie of doting Psyche ? For first she

225

LUCIUS APULEIUS
Tune adolescens modo florenti lanugine barbam in-
struens, nunc aetate media candenti canitie lucidus :
quis ille quern temporis modici spatium repentina se-
necta reformavit ? Nil aliud repperies,, mi soror,
quam vel mendacio istam pessimam feminam con-
fingere vel formam mariti sui nescire ; quorum utrum
verum est, opibus istis quam primum exterminanda
est. Quod si viri sui faciem ignorat, deo profecto
denupsit et deum nobis praegnatione ista gerit.
Certe si divini puelli — quod absit — haec mater
audierit, statim me laqueo nexili suspendam. Ergo
interim ad parentes nostros redeamus, et exordio
sermonis huius quam concolores fallacias attexa-
mus.'

17 " Sic inflammatae, parentibus fastidienter appel-
latis et nocte turbata vigiliis, perditae matutino
scopulum pervolant et inde solito venti praesidio
vehementer devolant, lacrimisque pressura palpe-
brarum coactis, hoc astu puellam appellant : ' Tu
quidem felix et ipsa tanti mali ignorantia beata
sedes incuriosa periculi tui ; nos autem, quae pervigili
cura rebus tuis excubamus, cladibus tuis misere
cruciamur. Pro vero namque comperimus nee te,
sociae scilicet doloris casusque tui,celare possumus im-
manem colubrum multinodis voluminibus serpentem,
veneno noxio colla sanguiiiantem hiantemque ingluvie
profunda, tecum noctibus latenter acquiescere. Nunc
recordare sortis Pythicae, quae te trucis bestiae
nuptiis destinatam esse clamavit : et multi coloni,
224

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

said that her husband was a young man with the
down of his chin but just beginning to spring, and
now she saith that he hath a head half grey with
age : what is he that in so short space can suddenly
become so old ? You shall find it no otherwise, my
sister, but that either this cursed quean hath invented
a great lie or else that she never saw the shape of
her husband : and whichever be true, we must, as
soon as may be, drive her forth from that rich estate
of hers. And if it be so that she never saw him,
then verily she is married to some god, and hath a
young god for us in her belly ; but if it be a divine
babe of the which she shall soon be called the
mother (as God forbid it should) then may I go and
hang myself : wherefore let us go now to our parents,
and with such forged lies as this let us colour the
matter.'

" After they were thus inflamed and had proudly
visited their parents, having passed the night in
fitful watchings, they returned again to the mountain,
and by the aid of the wind Zephyrus were carried
down into the valley ; and after they had strained
their eyelids to enforce themselves to weep, they
called unto Psyche in this sort : ' Thou (ignorant of
so great evil) thinkest thyself sure and happy, and
sittest at home nothing regarding thy peril, whereas
we go about thy affairs, and are exceeding sorry for
the harm that shall happen unto thee : for we are
credibly informed, neither can we but utter it unto
thee, that are the companions of thy grief and
mishap, that there is a great serpent of many coils,
full of deadly poison, with a ravenous and gaping
throat, that lieth with thee secretly every night.
Remember the oracle of Apollo, who pronounced
that thou shouldest be married to a dire and fierce
P 225

LUCIUS APULEIUS
quique circumsecus venantur, et accolae plurimi
viderunt eum vespera redeuntem e pastu proximique

18 flurainis vadis innatantem. Nee diu blandis alimoni-
arum obsequiis te saginaturum omnes affirmant, sed
cum primum praegnationem tuamplenus maturaverit
uterus, opimiore fructu praeditam devoraturum. Ad
haec iam tua est existimatio, utrum sororibus pro tua
cara salute sollicitis assentiri velis et declinata morte
nobiscum secura periculi vivere, an saevissimae
bestiae sepeliri visceribus : quod si te ruris huius
vocalis solitude vel clandestinae Veneris faetidi peri-
culosique concubitus et venenati serpentis amplexus
delectant, certe piae sorores nostrum fecerimus.'

" Tune Psyche misella, utpote simplex et animi
tenella, rapitur verborum tarn tristium formidine :
extra terminum mentis suae posita prorsus omnium
mariti monitionum suarumque promissionum me-
moriam efFudit et in profundum calamitatis sese
praecipitavit, tremensque et exsangui colore lurida
tertiata verba semihianti voce substrepens sic ad illas

19 ait : ' Vos quidem, carissimae sorores, ut par erat, in
officio vestrae pietatis permanetis, verum et illi qui
talia vobis affirmant non videntur mihi mendacium
fingere : nee enim unquam viri mei vidi faciem vel
omnino cuiatis sit novi, sed tantum nocturnis sub-
audiens vocibus maritum incerti status et prorsus
lucifugam tolero, bestiamque aliquam recte dicenti-
bus vobis merito consentio : meque magnopere

226

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

beast ; and many of the inhabitants hereby, and such
as hunt about in the country, affirm that they have
seen him towards evening returning from pasture and
swimming over the river : whereby they do un-
doubtedly say that he will not pamper thee long
with delicate meats, but when the time of delivery
shall approach, he will devour both thee and thy child
as a more tender morsel. Wherefore advise thyself,
whether thou wilt agree unto us that are careful for
thy safety, and so avoid the peril of death, and be
contented to live with thy sisters, or whether thou
wilt remain with the most cruel serpent, and in the
end be swallowed into the gulf of his body. And if
it be so that thy solitary life, thy conversation with
voices, and this servile and dangerous pleasure, that
is the secret and filthy love of the poisonous serpent,
do more delight thee ; say not but that we have
played the parts of natural sisters in warning thee.'
"Then the poor simple Psyche was moved with
the fear of so dreadful words, and (being amazed in
her mind) did clean forget the admonitions of her
husband and her own promises made unto him. And
(throwing herself headlong into extreme misery) with
a wan and sallow countenance, scantly uttering and
stammering forth her words, at length began to say
in this sort : ' O my most dear sisters, I heartily thank
you for your great kindness towards me, and I am
now verily persuaded that they which have told
you hereof, have told you of nothing but truth,
for I never saw the shape of my husband, neither
know I from whence he came ; only I hear his voice
in the night, in so much that I have an unknown
husband, and one that loveth not the light of the
day ; which causeth me to suspect that he is some
beast as you affirm. Moreover I do greatly fear to

227

LUCIUS APULEIUS

semper a suis terret aspectibus, malumque grande de
vultus curiositate praeminatur. Nunc si quam
salutarem opem periclitanti sorori vestrae potestis
afferre, lain nunc subsistite ; ceterum incuria sequens
prioris providentiae beneficia corrumpet.'

"Tune nanctae iam portis patentibus nudatum
sororis animum facinerosae mulieres, omissis tectae
machinae latibulis, destrictis gladiis fraudium sim-

20 plicis puellae paventes cogitationes invadunt. Sic
denique altera : ' Quoniam nos originis nexus pro tua
incolumitate periculum quidem nullum ante oculos
habere compellit, viam quae sola deducit iter ad salu-
tem diu diuque cogitatam monstrabimus tibi. Nova-
culam praeacutam, appulsu etiam palmulae lenientis
exasperatain, tori quaparte cubare consuesti latenter
absconde lucernamque concinnem completam oleo,
claro lumine praemicantem subde aliquo claudentis
aululae tegrnine, omnique isto apparatu tenacissime
dissimulate, postquam sulcatos intrahens gressus
cubile solitum conscenderit iamque porrectus et
exordio somui prementis implicitus alturn soporem
flare coeperit, toro delapsa nudoque vestigio pen-
silem gradum pullulatim minuens, caecae tenebrae
custodia liberata lucerna, praeclari tui facinoris oppor-
tunitatem de luminis consilio mutuare et ancipiti
telo illo audaciter, prius dextera sursum elata, nisu
quam valido noxii serpentis noclum cervicis et capi-
tis abscinde. Nee nostrum tibi deerit subsidium, sed
cum primurn illius morte salutem tibi feceris^ anxiae
praestolabimur, cunctisque istis ocius tecum relatis,

21 votivis nuptiis hominem te iungemus homini.' Tali
verborum incendio flammata viscera sororis iam pror-
228

THE GOT.DEN ASS, BOOK V

see him, for he doth menace and threaten great evil
unto me, if I should go about to spy, and behold his
shape ; wherefore, my loving sisters, if you have any
wholesome remedy for your sister in danger, give it
now presently : for if ye be now careless so to do,
ye will make of none effect the kindness of your
watchfulness that was before.'

" Then those wicked women, opening the gates of
their sister's heart, did putawaynowall privy guile,and
egged her forward in her fearful thoughts, drawing
openly the sword of deceit, and persuading her to
do as they would have her; and one of them began
and said: 'Because that we, obliged by our kinship
with you, little esteem any peril or danger to save
your life, we intend to shew you the best way and
means to safety as we may possibly do, and we have
long thought thereon. Take a sharp razor, whetted
upon the palm of your hand to its finest edge, and
put it under the pillow of your bed, and see that you
have ready a privy burning lamp with oil, hid under
some part of the hanging of the chamber ; and (finely
dissimulating all the matter) when, according to his
custom, he cometh to bed and stretcheth him fully
out and sleepeth soundly, breathing deep, arise you
secretly, and with your ban- feet treading a-tiptoe. go
and take your lamp, with the razor lifted high in
your right hand, from the ward of its hiding-place
that you may borrow from its light the occasion of a
bold deed, and with valiant force cut off the head of
the poisonous serpent at the knot of his neck :
wherein we will aid and assist you, and when by the
death of him you shall be made safe, we will bring
quickly away all these riches and marry you, that are
a woman, to some comely man, and no beast.' After
they had thus inflamed the heart of their sifter, who

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sus ardentis deserentes ipsae protinus, tanti mali
confinium sibi etiam eximie metuentes, flatus alitis im-
pulsu solito porrectae super scopulum, illico pernici se
fuga proripiunt statimque conscensis navibus abeunt.
"At Psyche relicta sola, nisi quod infestis furiis
agitata sola non est, aestu pelagi simile maerendo
fluctuat, et quamvis statute consilio et obstinato
animo, iam tamen facinori manus admovens adhuc
incerta consilii titubat multisque calamitatis suae dis-
trahitur afFectibus. Festinat, difFert ; audet, trepi-
dat ; diffidit, irascitur ; et, quod est ultimum, in
eodem corpore odit bestiam, diligit maritum. Ves-
pera tamen iam noctem trahente praecipiti festina-
tione nefarii sceleris instruit apparatum : nox aderat
et maritus aderat priusque Veneris proeliis velitatus
22 altum soporem descenderat. Tune Psyche, et cor-
poris et animi alioquin infirma, fati tamen saevitia
subministrante viribus roboratur, et prolata lucerna
et arrepta novacula sexum audacia mutatur. Sed
cum primum lumiiiis oblatione tori secreta clarue-
runt, videt omnium ferarum mitissiraam dulcissi-
mamque bestiam, ipsum ilium Cupidinem formosum
deum formose cubantem, cuius aspectu lucernae quo-
que lumen hilaratum increbruit et acuminis sacrilegi
novaculam paenitebat. At vero Psyche tanto aspectu
deterrita et impos animi, marcido pallore defecta
tremensque desedit in imos poplites et ferrum quaerit
abscondere, sed in suo pectore : quod profecto fecis-
setj nisi ferrum timore tanti flagitii manibus teme-
2SO

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

was already alight (fearing lest some danger might
happen unto them by reason of their privity in so
wicked a deed) they left her and were carried by the
wind Zephyrus to the top of the mountain, and so
they ran away, and took shipping.

"When Psyche was left alone (saving that she
seemed not to be alone, being stirred by so many
furies) she was in a tossing mind, like the waves of
the sea, and although her will was obstinate and
fixed to put in execution the counsel of her sisters,
yet when she was now ready to do the deed, she was
in doubtful and divers opinions touching her calamity.
Sometimes she would, sometimes she would not,
sometimes she is bold, sometimes she feareth, some-
times she mistrusteth, sometimes she is moved, and
at last in one person she hateth the beast and
loveth her husband ; but at length the evening came,
when she made preparation for her wicked intent.
Then was it night, and soon after her husband came,
and when he had kissed and embraced her he fell
asleep : then Psyche (somewhat feeble in body and
mind, yet strengthened by cruelty of fate) received
boldness and brought forth the lamp, and took the
razor, so that by her audacity she changed herself to
masculine kind. But when she took the lamp and
the secret parts of the bed were made light, she saw
the most meek and sweetest beast of all beasts, even
fair Cupid, couched fairly, at whose sight the very
lamp increased its light for joy, and the razor turned
its edge. But when Psyche saw so glorious a body,
she greatly feared, and amazed in mind, with a pale
countenance, all trembling, fell on her knees, and
thought to hide the razor, yea verily in her own
heart ; which she had undoubtedly done, had it not,
through fear of so wicked an enterprise, fallen out of

231

LUCIUS APULEIUS

rariis delapsum evolasset. lamque lassa, salute de-
fecta dum saepius divini vultus intuetur pulchritu-
dinem, recreatur animi : videt capitis aurei genialem
caesariem ambrosia temulentam, cervices lacteas
genasque purpureas pererrantes crinium globos de-
coriter impeditos, alios antependulos, alios retropen-
dulos, quorum splendore nimio fulgurante iam et
ipsum lumen lucernae vacillabat : per humeros vola-
talis dei pinnae roscidae micanti flore candicant et
quamvis alis quiescentibus extimae plumulae tenellae
ac delicatae tremule resultantes inquieta lasciviunt :
ceterum corpus glabellum atque luculentum et quale
peperisse Venevem non paeniteret. Ante lectuli pedes
iacebat arcus et pharetra et sagittae, magni dei pro-
23 pitia tela ; quae dum insatiabili animo Psyche, satis
et curiosa^ rimatur atque pertrectat et mariti sui
miratur arma, depromit unam de pharetra sagittam et
puncto pollicis extremam aciem periclitabunda tre-
rnentis etiam nunc articuli nisu fortiore pupugit
altius, ut per summam cutem roraverint parvulae
sanguinis rosei guttae : sic ignara Psyche sponte in
Amoris incidit amorem. Tune magis magisque cupi-
dine flagrans Cupidiiiis, prona in eum efflictim inhians,
patulis ac petulantibus saviis festinanter ingestis, de
somni mensura metuebat.

" Sed dum bono tanto percita saucia mente fluctuat,
lucerna illa^ sive perfidia pessima sive invidia noxia
sive quod tale corpus contingere et quasi basiare et
ipsa gestiebat, evomuit de summa luminis sui stillam
ferventis olei super humerum dei dexterum : hem
audax ettemeraria lucerna et amoris vile ministerium,
ipsum ignis totius deum aduris, cum te, scilicet
232

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

her rash and hasty hands. And now she was faint
and had lost her strength, but when she saw and
beheld the beauty of his divine visage, she was well
recreated in her mind ; she saw his hairs of gold,
that were drenched with ambrosia and yielded out a
sweet savour thereof; his neck more white than
milk ; his ruddy cheeks upon which his hair hanged
comely behind and before, the brightness whereof
did darken the light of the lamp ; the tender plume
feathers of that flying god dispersed upon his
shoulders with shining gleam, and though his wings
were at rest, the tender down of their edges
trembling hither and thither, and the other parts of
his body so smooth and soft that it could not repent
Venus to bear such a child. At the bed's feet lay
his bow, quiver and arrows that be the gentle weapons
of so great a god : which when Psyche did curiously
behold, and marvelling at the weapons of her hus-
band took one of the arrows out of the quiver, and
trying the sharpness thereof with her finger, she
pricked herself withal : wherewith she was so
grievously wounded that some little drops of blood
followed, and thereby of her own accord she fell in
love with Love. Then more and more broiling in
the love of Cupid, she embraced him and kissed him
a thousand times, fearing the measure of his sleep.

" But alas, while she was in this great joy, and her
spirit languished and wavered, whether it were for
foul envy, or for desire to touch this amiable body
likewise, there fell out a drop of burning oil from
the lamp upon the right shoulder of the god. O
rash and bold lamp, the vile ministry of love, how
darest thou be so bold as to burn the god of all fire,
when surely some lover invented thee, to the intent
that he might with more joy pass the nights in

233

LUCIUS APULEIUS

amator aliquis, ut diutius cupitis etiam nocte potiretur,
primus invenerit ! Sic inustus exiluit deus visaque
detectae fidei colluvie prorsus ex osculis et manibus

24- infelicissimae coniugis tacitus avolavit : at Psyche
statim resurgentis eius crure dextero raanibus am-
babus arrepto, sublimis evectionis appendix miseranda
et per nubilas plagas penduli corrntatus extrema
consequia tandem fessa delabitur solo. Nee deus
amator humi iacentem deserens, involavit proximam
cupressum deque eius alto cacumine sic earn graviter
commotus affatur : 'Ego quidem, simplicissima Psyche,
parentis meae Veneris praceptorum immemor, quae
te miseri extremique hominis devinctam cupidine
infimo matrimonio addici iusserat, ipse potius amator
advolavi tibi. Sed hoc feci leviter, scio, et prae-
clarus ille Sagittarius ipse me telo meo percussi teque
coniugem meam feci, ut bestia scilicet tibi viderer et
ferro caput excideres meum, quod istos amatores tuos
oculos gerit ! Haec tibi semper cavenda censebam,
haec benivole remonebam. Sed illae quidem con-
siliatrices egregiae tuae tarn perniciosi magisterii
dabunt actutum mihi poenas : te vero tantum fuga
mea punivero ' ; et cum termino sermonis pinnis in
altum se proripuit.

25 " Psyche vero humi prostrata et quantum visu
poterat volatus mariti prospiciens extremis affligebat
lamentationibus animum. Sed ubi remigio plumae
raptum maritum proceritas spatii fecerat alienum, per
proximi fluminis marginem praecipitem sese dedit :
234

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

pleasure .? The god being burned in this sort, and
perceiving that promise and faith was broken, he
fled away without utterance of any word from the
kisses and hands of his most unhappy wife. But
Psyche fortuned to catch him as he was rising by
the right thigh with both hands, and held him fast
as he flew about in the air, hanging to him (poor
wretch) through his cloudy journey, until such time
that, constrained by weariness, she let go and fell
down upon the ground : but Cupid left her not
altogether, but followed her down and lighted upon
the top of a cypress-tree, and angrily spake unto her
in this manner : ' O simple Psyche, consider with
thyself, how I (little regarding the commandment of
my mother, who willed me that thou shouldest be
married to a man of base and miserable condition)
did come myself from heaven to love thee. This
have I very wantonly done, I know (and I have
wounded mine own body with my proper weapon)
to have thee to my spouse, and did I seem a beast
unto thee, that thou shouldest go about to cut oft'
my head with a razor, yea this head with its eyes
that love thee so well ? Did not I always give thee
in charge against this danger? Did not I gently
will thee to beware ? But those cursed aiders and
counsellors of thine shall be worthily rewarded for
their pains. As for thee, thou shalt be sufficiently
punished by my absence.' And when he had spoken
these words he took his flight into the air.

" Then Psyche fell flat on the ground, and as long
as she might see her husband, she cast her eyes after
him into the air, weeping and lamenting piteously :
but when he was flown clean away out of her sight,
she threw herself into the next running river, for
the great anguish and dolour that she was in, for

235

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sed mitis fluvius in honorem del scilicet, qui et ipsas
aquas urere consuevit, metuens sibi confestim earn
innoxio volumine super ripam florentem herbis ex-
posuit. Tune forte Pan deus rusticus iuxta super-
cilium amnis sedebat, complexus Echo montanam
deam eamque voculas omnimodas edocens recinere ;
proxime ripam vago pastu lasciviunt, comam fluvii
tondentes, capellae. Hircuosus deus sauciam Psy-
chen atque defectam, utcumque casus eius non inscius,
clementer ad se vocatam sic permulcet verbis lenien-
tibus : ' Puella scitula, sum quidem rusticanus et
upilio, sed senectutis prolixae beneficio multis ex-
perimentis instructus. Verum si recte coniecto, quod
profecto prudentes viri divinationem autumant, ab
isto titubante et saepius vacillante vestigio deque
nimio pallore corporis et assiduo suspiritu, immo et
ipsis marcentibus oculis tuis, amore nimio laboras.
Ergo mihi ausculta, nee te rursus praecipitio vel ullo
mortis accersitae genere perimas. Luctum desine et
pone maerorem precibusque potius Cupidinem deorum
maximum percole, et utpote adolescentem delicatum
luxuriosumque blandis obsequiis promerere.'
26 " Sic locuto deo pastore, nulloque sermone reddito
sed adorato tantum numine salutari, Psyche pergit
ire. Sed cum aliquam multum viae laboranti ves-
tigio pererrasset, inscio quodam tramite, iam die
labente, accedit quandam civitatem^ in qua regnum
maritus unius sororis eius obtinebat. Qua re cognita
Psyche nuntiari praesentiam suam sorori desiderat ;
236

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

the lack of her husband ; howbeit the gentle water
would not suffer her to be drowned, but took pity
upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed
to broil and burn the very river, and so fearing for
himself would not harm her, but threw her upon the
bank amongst the herbs. Then Pan the rustical god
was sitting on the river-side, embracing and teaching
the goddess Echo of the mountains to tune her songs
and pipes, by whom were feeding upon the grass of
the margin the young and tender goats ; and after
that this goat-footed god perceived poor Psyche in
so sorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by what
means) of her miserable estate, he called her gently
beside him and endeavoured to pacify her in this
sort : ' O fair maid, I am a rustic and rude herds-
man, howbeit (by reason of my old age) expert in
many things ; tor as far as I can learn by conjecture,
which (according as wise men do term) is called
divination, I perceive by your uncertain and trem-
bling gait, your pale hue, your sobbing sighs, aye
and your watery eyes, that you are greatly in love.
Wherefore, hearken to me, and go not about to slay
yourself, nor weep not at all, but rather adore and
worship the great god Cupid, and win him unto you,
that is a delicate and wanton youth, by your gentle
promise of service.'

" When the god of shepherds had spoken these
words, she gave no answer, but made reverence unto
him as to a god, and so departed : and after that she
had gone more than a little way with weary feet, she
fortuned unawares to take a certain path, and towards
evening to come to a city where the husband of one of
her sisters did reign ; which when Psyche did under-
stand, she caused that her sister had knowledge of
her coming. And so they met together, and aftt

LUCIUS APULEIUS

mox inducta, mutuis amplexibus alternae salutationis
expletis, percontanti causas adventus sui sic incipit :
'* Meministi consilium vestrum, scilicet quo mihi sua-
sistis ut bestiam, quae mariti mentito nomine mecum
quiescebat, prius quam ingluvie voraci me misellam
hauriret, ancipiti novacula peremerem ? Sed cum
primum, ut aeque placuerat, conscio lumine vultus
eius aspexi, video mirum divinumque prorsus specta-
culum ; ipsum ilium deae Veneris filium, ipsum in-
.quam Cupidinem leni quiete sopitum. Ac dum tanti
boni spectaculo percita et nimia voluptatis copia tur-
bata fruendi laborarem inopia, casu scilicet pessimo
lucerna fervens oleum rebullivit in eius humerum.
Quo dolore statim somno recussus, ubi me ferro et
igni conspexit armatam, " Tu quidem " inquit "Ob
istud tarn dirum facinus confestim toro meo divorte
tibique res tuas habeto, ego vero sororem tuam "-
et nomen quo tu censeris aiebat — " lam mihi con-
festim farreatis nuptiis coniugabo/' et statim Zephyro
praecipit ultra terminos me dornus eius efflaret.'
27 " Necdum sermonem Psyche finierat ; ilia vesanae
libidinis et invidiae noxiae stimulis agitata, e re con-
cinnato mendacio fallens maritum, quasi de morte
parentum aliquid comperisset, statim navem ascendit
et ad ilium scopulum protinus pergit, et quam vis alio
flante vento, caeca spe tamen inhians, ' Accipe me '
dicens ' Cupido, dignam te coniugem et tu, Zephyre,
538

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

great embracing and salutation the sister of Psyche
demanded the cause of her travel thither. ' Marry/
quoth she, ' Do not you remember the counsel that
you gave me, whereby you would that I should kill
with a razor the beast,who under colour of my husband
did lie with me every night, before he should utterly
devour miserable me ? You shall understand that
as soon as, by thy further advice, I brought forth
the lamp to see and behold his shape, I perceived a
wonderful and even a divine sight ; for it was the
son of Venus, even Cupid himself, that lay softly
asleep. Then I, being stricken with the sight of
so great pleasure, and distraught by exceeding
great joy, could not thoroughly assuage my delight,
but, alas (by evil chance) the boiling oil of the lamp
fortuned to fall on his shoulder, which caused him to
awake ; and he, aroused by the pain thereof, seeing
me armed with fire and weapon, began to say : " How
darest thou be so bold as to do so great a mischief?
Depart from me, and take such things as thou diddest
bring: 1 for I will have thy sister " (and named you)
" to my wife, and she shall be joined in true wedlock
with me " ; and by and by he commanded Zephyrus
to carry me away from the bounds of his house.'

"Psyche had scantly finished her tale, but her
sister (pierced with the prick of carnal desire and
wicked envy) ran home, and feigning to her husband
with a cunningly made lie that she had heard some-
what of the death of her parents, took shipping and
came to the mountain. And although there blew a
contrary wind, yet being brought in a vain hope, she
cried : ' O Cupid, take me a more worthy wife, and

1 The Roman formula of divorce ; and Cupid was to re-marry
the sister by confarreatio, the solemn and ceremonial tie
confined to patricians and priests.

239

LUCIUS APULEIUS

suscipe dominam ! ' saltu se maximo praecipitem dedit.
Nee tamen ad ilium locum vel saltern mortua perve-
nire potuit : nam per saxa cautium membris iactatis
atque dissipatis et proinde ut merebatur laceratis,
visceribus suis alitibus bestiisque obvium ferens pabu-
lum interiit. Nee vindictae sequentis poena tardavit:
nam Psyche rursus errabundo gradu pervenit ad civi-
tatem aliam, in qua pari modo soror morabatur alia.
Nee setius et ipsa fallacie germanitatis inducta, et in
sororis sceleratas nuptias aemula, festinavit ad scopu-
lum inque simile mortis exitium cecidit.
28 " Interim, dum Psyche quaestioni Cupidinis intenta
populos circumibat, ille vulnere lucernae dolens in
ipso thalamo matris iacens ingemebat. Tune avis
peralba ilia gavia, quae super fluctus marinos pinnis
natat, demergit sese propere ad Oceani profundum
gremium. Ibi cominodum Venerem lavantem natan-
temque propter assistens, indicat adustum filium
eius, gravi vulneris dolore maerentem, dubium
salutis iacere, iamque per cunctorum ora populorum
rumoribus conviciisque variis omnem Veneris familiam
male audire, ' quod ille quidem montano scortatu,
tu vero marino natatu secesseritis ac per hoc non
voluptas ulla, non gratia, non lepos, sed incompta et
agrestia et horrida cuncta sint, non nuptiae con-
iugales, non amicitiae sociales, non liberum caritates,
sed enormis eluvies 1 et squalentium foederum insuave
fastidium.' Haee ilia verbosa et satis curiosa avis in

1 TheMSS seem to give gluvies or inyluvies. The suggestiou
of eluvies is due to Beroaldus.

24C

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

thou, Zephyrus, bear down thy mistress/ and so she
cast herself down from the mountain But she fell
not into the valley neither alive nor dead, for all the
members and parts of her body were torn amongst
the rocks,, whereby she was made a prey to the birds
and wild beasts, as she worthily deserved, and so she
perished. Neither was the vengeance of the other
delayed : .for Psyche, travelling with wandering feet,
fortuned to come to another city,where her other sister
did dwell; to whom when she had declared all such
things as she told to her first sister, she also was
caught in the snare, and being very jealous of her
marriage, ran likewise unto the rock, and was slain in
like sort.

" In the meantime, Psyche travelled about in the
country to seek her husband Cupid, but he was gotten
into his mother's chamber, and there bewailed the
sorrowful wound which he caught by the oil of the
burning lamp. Then the white bird the gull, which
swimmeth with his wings over the waves of the water,
flew down to the Ocean sea, where she found Venus
washing and bathing herself : to whom she declared
her son was burned and suffering from a grievous
wound and in danger of death, and moreover that it
was a common report in the mouth of every person
to speak evil of all the family of Venus ; ' Thy son,'
quoth she, ' Doth nothing but haunt harlots in the
mountain, and thou thyself dost use to riot on the
sea, whereby they say there is now nothing any more
gracious, nothing pleasant, nothing gentle, but all is
become uncivil, monstrous, and horrible ; moreover,
there are no more loving marriages, nor friendships
of amity, nor loving of children, but all is disorderly,
and there is a very bitter hatred of weddings as base
things.' This the wordy and curious gull did clatter

241

LUCIUS APULEIUS

auribus Veneris, filii lacerans existimationem, gannie-
bat : at Venus irata solidum exclamat repente : " Ergo
iam ille bonus filius nieus habet amicam aliquam !
Prome agedum, quae sola mihi servis amanter, nomen
eius quae puerum ingenuum et investem sollicitavit,
sive ilia de Nympharum populo seu de Horarum
numero seu de Musarum choro vel de mearum Gra-
tiarum ministerio.' v Nee loquax ilia conticuit avis,
sed ; ' Nescio ' inquit, ' Domina ; puto puellam ilium 1
— si probe memini, Psyches nomine dicitur — efflicte
cupere.' Tune indignata Venus exclamavit vel
maxime : ' Psychen ille meae formae succubam, mei
nominis aemulam si vere diligit, nimirum illud incre-
mentum lenam me putavit, cuius monstratu puellam
illam cognosceret.'

29 " Haec quiritans properiter emergit e mari, suum-
que protinus aureum thalamum petit, et reperto;
sicut audierat, aegroto puero iam inde a foribus
quam maxine boans, ' Honesta ' inquit ' Haec et
natalibus nostris bonaeque tuae frugi congruentia,
ut primum quidem tuae parentis, immo dominae
praecepta calcares, nee sordidis amoribus inimicam
meam cruciares, verum etiam hoc aetatis puer tuis
licentiosis et immaturis iungeres amplexibus, ut ego
nurum scilicet tolerarem inimicam ! Sed utique
praesumis, nugo et corruptor et inamabilis, te solum

i I do not feel absolutely certain that grammar requires the
subject of cupere to be expressed; but I adopt Kossbach's
suggestion of the insertion of ilium, which is quite likely to have
dropped out owing to its resemblance to the last part of the
preceding word.

242

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

in the ears of Venus, reprehending her son. But
Venus began to be very angry, and said : ' What,
hath my son gotten any love ? I pray thee, gentle
bird, that dost alone serve me so faithfully, tell me
what she is and what is her name, that hath troubled
my simple and beardless l son in such sort, whether
she be any of the tribe of the Nymphs, of the number
of the Seasons, of the company of the Muses, or of the
ministry of my Graces ? ' To whom the bird answered
that could never be silent : ' Madam, I know not
what she is ; but this I know, that he loveth her
greatly, and that she is called Psyche.' Then Venus
with indignation cried out : ' What, is it she ? The
usurper of my beauty, the vicar of my name ? And
this is more and worse ; will the brat think that I am
a bawd, by whose shewing he fell acquainted with
the maid ? '

"Thus she complained, and immediately departed
and went to her golden chamber, where she found
her son wounded, as it was told unto her ; whom
when she beheld she stood at the door and cried out
very loudly in this sort: 'Is this an honest thing?
Is this honourable to thy parents and to thine own
good name ? Is this reason that thou hast first vio-
lated and broken the commandment of thy mother
and sovereign mistress ? And whereas thou shouldest
have vexed my enemy with a loathsome and base
love, thou hast done contrary : for (being but of
tender and unripe years) thou hast with too licen-
tious appetite embraced her, that my most mortal
foe shall be made a daughter unto me. Thou pre-
sumest and thinkest (thou trifling boy, thou varlet,
and without all love) that thou art alone my true
child, and that I am not able by reason of mine
1 Lit. " not yet clothed as a man."

243

LUCIUS APULEIUS

generosum, nee me iam per aetatem posse concipere 1
velim ergo scias multo te meliorem filium alium
genituram ; immo, ut contumeliam magis sentias,
aliquem de meis adoptaturam vernulis eique dona-
turam istas pinnas et flammas et arcum et ipsas
sagittas et omnem meam supellectilem,, quam tibi non
ad hos usus dederam : nee enim de patris tui bonis ad
30 instructionem istam quicquam concessum est. Sed
male prima pueritia inductus es et acutas manus
habes et maiores tuos irreverenter pulsasti totiens et
ipsam matrem tuam, me inquam ipsam parricida
denudas cotidie et percussisti saepius et quasi
viduam utique contemnis, nee vitricum tuum fortissi-
mum ilium maximumque bellatorem metuis. Quidni ?
Cui saepius in angorem mei paelicatus puellas pro-
pinare consuesti. Sed iam faxo te lusus huius pae-
niteat et sentias acidas et amaras istas nuptias. Sed
nunc irrisui babita quid agam ? Quo me conferam ?
Quibus niodis stelionem istum cohibeam ? Petamne
auxilium ab inimica mea Sobrietate, quam propter
huius ipsius luxuriam offendi saepius? At rusticae
squalentisque feminae colloquium prorsus horresco.
Nee tamen vindictae solacium undeunde spernendum
est : ilia mihi prorsus adhibenda est nee ulla alia,
quae castiget asperrime nugonem istum, pharetram
explicet et sagittas dearmet, arcum enodet, taedam
deflammet, immo et ipsum corpus eius acrioribus
remediis coereeat. Tune iniuriae meae litatum credi-
derim, cum eius comas, quas istis manibus meis
244

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

age to have another son ; but this I could do, and
thou shouldest well understand that I would bear
a more worthier than thou: but to work thee a
greater despite, I do determine to adopt one of my
servants, and to give him these wings, this fire, this
bow and-these arrows, and all other furniture which
I gave to thee, though not for this purpose ; for of
all this nothing came to thee from thy father to thy
furnishment. But first thou hast been evil brought
up and instructed in thy youth : thou hast thy hands
ready and sharp : thou hast often most rudely struck
and beaten thy ancients, and especially thy own
mother, myself I say, thou hast robbed me daily,
thou very parricide, and hast pierced me with thy
darts, thou contemnest me as a widow, neither dost
thou regard thy valiant and invincible stepfather,
but to anger me more thou settest him after wenches
that I may be jealous : but I will cause that thou
shalt shortly repent thee of this sport, and that this
marriage shall be bitter to thee and dearly bought.
To what a public scorn am I now driven ? What
shall 1 do? Whither shall I go? How shall I
repress this beast ? Shall I ask aid of mine enemy
Sobriety, whom I have often offended because of
thy wantonness ? But I hate to seek for counsel
from so poor and rustical a woman. No, no, how-
beit I will not cease from my vengonce, whence-
soever it cometh ; to her must I have recourse for
help, and to none other (I mean to Sobriety) who may
correct sharply this trifler, take away his quiver,
deprive him of his arrows, unbend his bow, quench
his fire, and subdue his body with punishment still
more bitter ; and when that she hath razed and cut off
this his hair, which I have dressed with mine own
hands and made to glitter like gold, and when

2 J •>

LUCIUS APULEIUS

subinde aureo nitore perstrinxi, deraserit ; pinnas,
quas meo gremio uectarei fontis infeci, praetoton-
derit.'

31 " Sic eflfata foras sese proripit infesta et sto-
machata biles Venerias. Sed earn protinus Ceres et
luno continuantur visamque vultu tumido quaesiere
cur truci supercilio tantam venustatem micantium
oculorum coerceret. At ilia ( Opportune ' inquit
' Ardenti prorsus isto meo pectori violentiam scilicet
perpetraturae venitis. Sed totis, oro, vestris viribus
Psychen illam fugitivam volaticam mihi requirite.
Nee enim vos utique domus meae famosa fabula et
non dicendi filii mei facta latuerunt.' Tune illae non1
ignarae, quae gesta sunt, palpare Veneris iram sae-
vientem sic adortae : ' Quid tale, domina, deliquit
tuus filius ut animo pervicaci voluptates illius im-
pugnes, et quam ille diligit tu quoque perdere ges-
tias ? Quod autern, oramus, isti crimen si puellae
lepidae libenter arrisit ? An ignoras eum masculum
et iuvenem esse, vel certe iam quot sit annorura oblita
es ? An quod aetatem portat bellule, puer tibi
semper videtur ? Mater autem tu et praeterea cor-
data mulier filii tui lusus semper explorabis curiose,
et in eo luxuriem culpabis et amores revinces et tnas

* The goddesses did know what had been going on, so that
it is necessary, as Beroaldus saw, either to insert non before
ignarae, or to read gnarae.

246

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

she hath clipped his wings which I myself have dyed
with the immortal fountain of my breast, then shall
I think to have sufficiently revenged myself for the
injury which he hath done.'

" When she had spoken these words she departed
in a great rage out of her chamber full of the bitter-
ness of very Venus ; and immediately as she was going
away, came Juno and Ceres, and seeing her angry
countenance, they demanded the cause of her anger,
and why with so gloomy a frown she had dimmed
the glory of her shining eyes. Then Venus made
answer : ' Verily you are come in good time to carry
into effect the purpose of my furious heart; but I
pray you with all diligence to seek out one whose
name is Psyche, who is a vagabond, and runneth
about the countries, and I think you are not ignorant
of the bruit of my son Cupid, and of his demeanour,
which I am ashamed to declare.' Then they under-
standing and knowing the whole matter, endeavoured
to mitigate the ire of Venus in this sort : 'What is the
cause, madam, or how hath your son so offended that
you should so greatly accuse his love, and blame him
by reason that he is amorous ? And why should you
seek the death of her whom he doth fancy ? What
is his fault, we pray, if he have accorded to the
mind of a fair maiden ? What, do not you know
that he is a man and a young man ? Or have you
forgotten of what years he is? Doth he seem
always to you to be a child because he beareth well
his age ? You are his mother and a kind and under-
standing woman ; will you continually search out his
dalliance? Will you blame his luxury? .Will you
bridle his'love ? And will you reprehend your own art
and delights in your lovely son ? What god or man is
he, that can endure that you should sow or disperse

247

LUCIUS APULEIUS

artes tuasque delicias in formoso filio reprehendes?
Quis autem te deum, quis hominum patietur passim
cupidines populis disseminantem, cum tuae domus
amoves amai'e coerceas et vitiorum muliebrium
publicam praeclutlas officinam ? ' Sic illae metu
sagittarum patrocinio gratioso Cupidini quamvis ab-
senti blandiebantur. Sed Venus indignata ridicule
tractari suas iniurias praeversis illis alterorsus concito
gradu pelago viam capessit.

248

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK V

your seed of love in every place, and at the same time
make a restraint of that same love within your own
doors, and entirely close and shut up that factory
where the natural faults of women are made ? ' In
this sort these goddesses endeavoured to excuse
Cupid with all their power (although he were
absent) for fear of his dart and shafts of love. " But
Venus would in no wise assuage her heat, but
(thinking that they did but trifle and taunt at her
injuries) she departed from them, and took her
voyage again towards the sea in all haste.

LIBER VI

1 " INTEREA Psyche variis iactabatur discursibus, dies
noctesque mariti vestigationibus inquieta animo,
tanto cupidior iratum licet; si non uxoris blanditiis
lenire, certe servilibus precibus propitiare. Et
prospecto tempi o quodam in ardui mentis vertice,
' Unde autem ' inquit ' Scio an istic meus degat
dominus ? ' et illico dirigit citatum gradum, quern
defectum prorsus assiduis laboribus spes incitabat et
votum. lamque naviter emensis celsioribus iugis
pulvinaribus sese proximam intulit : videt spicas
frumentarias in acervo et alias flexiles in corona et
spicas hordei videt ; erant et falces et operae
messoriae mundus omniSj sed cuncta passim iacentia
et incuria confusa et, ut solet aestu, laborantium
manibus proiecta. Haec singula Psyche curiose
dividit et discretim remota rite componit, rata scilicet
nullius dei fana ac caerimonias neglegere se debere
sed omnium benivolam misericordiam corrogare.

2 " Haec earn sollicite seduloque curantem Ceres
alma deprehendit et longum exclamat protinus :
' Ain, Psyche miseranda ? Totum per orbem Venus
anxia disquisitione tuum vestigium furens animi re-
quirit teque ad extremum supplicium expetit et totis
250

BOOK VI

" IN the mean season Psyche hurled herself hither
and thither, seeking day and night for her husband
with unquiet mind, eager the more because she
thought that if he would not be appeased with the
sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take mercy
upon her at her servile and continual prayers. And
(espying a church on the top of a high hill) she said :
' How can I tell whether my husband and master be
there or no ? ' Wherefore she went swiftly thither-
ward, and with great pain and travail, yet moved by
hope and desire, after that she had stoutly climbed
to the top of the mountain, she went up to the sacred
couch, where behold, she espied sheaves of corn lying
on a heap, blades twisted into garlands, and reeds of
barley ; moreover she saw hooks, scythes, sickles, and
other instruments to reap, but everything lay out of
order, and as it were cast down carelessly in the
summer heat by the hands of labourers ; which when
Psyche saw, she gathered up and put everything
duly in order, thinking that she would not despise or
contemn the temples of any of the gods, but rather
get the favour and benevolence of them all.

" By and by Lady Ceres came in and beholding
her busy and curious in her chapel, cried out afar off
and said : ' O Psyche, needful of mercy, Venus
searcheth anxiously for thy steps in every place,
mad at heart to revenge herself and to punish thee

251

LUCIUS APULEIUS

numinis sui viribus ultionem flagitat. Tu vero rerum
mearum tutelam nuiic geris et aliud quicquam cogi-
tas nisi de tua salute ? ' Tune Psyche pedes eius
advoluta et uberi fletu rigans deae vestigia humumque
verrens crinibus suis, multiiugis precibus editis, veniam
postulabat : ( Per ego te frugiferam tuam dexteram
istam deprecor, per laetificas messium caerimonias,
per tacita secreta cistarum et per famulorum tuorum
draconum pinnata curricula et glebae Siculae sul-
camina et currum rapacem et terram tenacem et
iuluminarum Proserpinae nuptiarum demeacula et
luminosarum filiae inventionum remeacula, et cetera
quae silentio tegit Eleusinis Atticae sacrarium,
miserandae Psyches animae, supplicis tuae, subsiste.
Inter istam spicarum congeriem patere vel paueulos
dies delitescam, quoad deae tantae saeviens ira spatio
temporis mitigetur vel certe meae vires diutino labore
fessae quietis intervallo leniantur.' Suscipit Ceres :
' Tuis quidem lacrimosis precibus et commoveor et
opitulari cupio ; sed cognatae meae, cum qua etiam
foedus antiquum amicitiae colo, bonae praeterea
feminae, malam gratiam subire nequeo. Decede
itaque de istis aedibus protinus, et quod a me retenta
custoditaque non fueris, option consule.'

"Contra spem suam repulsa Psyche et afflicta
duplici maestitia iter retrorsum porrigens inter sub-

25%

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI
grievously with all the power of her godhead, but
hast thou more mind to be here and to look after my
affairs, and carest for nothing less than thy safety ? '
Then Psyche fell on her knees before her, watering
her feet with her tears, wiping the ground with her
hair, and with great weeping and many supplications
desired pardon, saying : ' O great and holy goddess,
I pray thee by thy plenteous and liberal right hand,
by thy joyful ceremonies of harvest, by the secrets of
thy baskets, by the flying chariots of the dragons thy
servants, by the tillage of the ground of Sicily which
thou hast invented, by the chariot of the ravishing
god/ by the earth that held thy daughter fast, by the
dark descent to the unillumined marriage of Proser-
pina, by thy diligent inquisition of her and thy bright
return, and by the other secrets which are concealed
within the temple of Eleusis in the land of Athens,
take pity on me thy servant Psyche, and help my
miserable soul, and let me hide myself a few days
amongst these sheaves of corn until the ire of so great
a goddess be past, or until that I be refreshed of
my great labour and travail.' Then answered Ceres :
' Verily, Psyche, I am greatly moved by thy prayers
and tears, and desire with all my heart to aid thee,
but if I should suffer thee to be hidden here, 1 should
incur the displeasure of my good cousin, with whom
I have made a treaty of peace and an ancient
promise of amity : wherefore I advise thee to depart
from this my temple, and take it in good part in that
I do not keep and guard thee as a prisoner here.'

" Then Psyche driven away, contrary to her hope,
was doubly afflicted with sorrow, and so she returned
back ag-ain : and behold, she perceived afar off in a

l Pluto, who carried off Proserpina to Hell from the plains
of Henna, in Sicily.

253

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sitae convallis sublucidum lucum prospicit fanum
sollerti fabrica structural, nee ullam vel dubiam spei
melioris viam volens omittere, sed adire cuiuscumque
dei veniam, sacratis foribus proximat. Videt dona
pretiosa ac lacinias auro litteratas ramis arborum
postibusque suffixas, quae cum gratia facti nomen
deae cui fuerant dicata testabantur. Tune genu nixa
et manibus aram tepentem amplexa, detersis ante
4 lacrimis, sic apprecatur : ' Magni lovis germana et
coniuga, sive tu Sami, quae sola partu vagituque et
alimonia tua gloriatur, tenes vetusta delubra ; sive
celsae Carthaginis, quae te virginem vectura leonis
caelo commeantem percolit, beatas sedes frequentas ;
sive prope ripas Inachi, qui te iam nuptam Tonantis
et reginam dearum memorat, inclitis Argivorum
praesides moenibus ; quam cunctus oriens Zygiam
veneratur et omnis occidens Lucinam appellat ; sis
meis extremis casibus luno Sospita, meque in tantis
exanclatis laboribus defessam imminentis periculi
metu libera. Quod sciam, soles praegnatibus pericli-
tantibus ultro subvenire.' Ad istum modum suppli-
canti statim sese luno cum totius sui numinis augusta
dignitate praesentat, et protinus ' Quam vellem '
251

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

valley a temple standing within a glimmering forest,
fair and curiously wrought ; and minding to overpass
no place whither better hope did direct her, although
it might be uncertain, and to the intent she would
desire the pardon of every god, she approached nigh
to the sacred doors. There she saw precious riches
and vestments engraven with letters of gold, hanging
upon branches of trees and the posts of the temple,
testifying the name of the goddess Juno to whom
they were dedicated and the reason of their offering.
Then she kneeled down upon her knees, and em-
bracing the altar (which was yet warm) with her
hands, and wiping her tears away, began to pray in
this sort : ' O dear spouse and sister of the great god
Jupiter, which art adored among the great temples
of Samos alone made famous by thy birth, and infant
crying, and nurture ; or worshipped at high and
happy Carthage, as a maid, being carried through
heaven by a lion ; or whether the rivers of the flood
Inachus do celebrate thee, ruling over the notable
walls of Argos, and know that thou art the wife of
the great thunderer and the goddess of goddesses :
all the east part of the world hath thee in veneration
as Zygia, all the west world calleth thee Lucina : I
pray thee to be mine advocate and Saviour l in my
tribulations ; deliver me from the great peril which
pursueth me, and save me that am wearied with so
long labours and sorrow, for I know that it is thou
that succourest and helpest such women as are with
child and in danger.' Then Juno, hearing the prayers
of Psyche, appeared unto her in all the royal dignity of
her godhead, saying : ' Certes, Psyche, I would gladly

i

Psyche appeals to Juno in her threefold aspect : Zygia, as
goddess of marriage; Lucina, as goddess of childbirth ; and
Sospita, as protectress and deliverer.

255

LUCIUS APULEIUS

inquit ' Per fidem nutum meum precibus tuis aceom-
modare ! Sed contra voluntatem Veneris, nurus
meae, quam filiae semper dilexi loco, praestare me
pudor non sinit. Tune etiam legibus, quae servos
alienos perfugas invitis dominis vetant suscipi, prohi-
beor.'

5 " Isto quoque fortunae naufragio Psyche perterrita
nee indipisci iam maritum volatilem quiens, tota spe
salutis deposita, sic ipsa suas cogitationes consuluit :
' Iam quae possunt alia meis aerumnis temptari vel
adhiberi subsidia, cui nee dearum quidem quamquam
volentium potuerunt prodesse suffragia ? Quorsum
itaque tantis laqueis inclusa vestigium porrigam, qui-
busque tectis vel etiam tenebris abscondita magnae
Veneris inevitabiles oculos effugiam ? Quin igitur
masculum tandem sumis animum et cassae speculae
renuntias fortiter, et ultroneam te dominae tuae
reddis et vel sera modestia saevientes impetus eius
mitigas ? Qui scias an etiam, quern diu quaeritas,
illuc in domo matris repperias 'i ' Sic ad dubium
obsequium, immo ad certum exitium praeparata prin-
cipium futurae secum meditabatur obsecrationis.

g " At Venus terrenis remediis inquisitionis abnuens
caelurn petit. lubet instrui currum, quern ei V^l-
canus aurifex subtili fabrica studiose poliverat et
ante thalami rudimentum nuptiale munus obtulerat,
limae tenuantis detrimento conspicuum et ipsius auri
damno pretiosum. De multis quae circa cubiculum
dominae stabulant, procedunt quatuor candidae

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI
help thee ; but I am ashamed to do anything con-
trary to the will of my daughter-in-law Venus, whom
always I have loved as mine own child ; and more-
over I shall incur the danger of the law entitled De
servo corrupto, whereby I am forbidden to retain any
servant fugitive against the will of his master.'

"Then Psyche, terrified at this new shipwreck of
fortune, as without all hope of her safety and the re-
covery of her husband, reasoned with herself in this
sort : ' Now what comfort or remedy is left to my
afflictions, when as my prayers will nothing avail
with the goddesses, though they be willing enough
to help me ? What shall 1 do ? Whither shall I go,
that am set about and surrounded with such snares ?
In what cave or darkness shall I hide myself to avoid
the piercing eyes of Venus ? Why do I not take a
good heart, renouncing my vain hopes, arid offer my-
self with humility (though it be late) unto her whose
anger I have wrought and so try to soften her great
fury ? What do I know whether he whom I seek
for so long be not in the house of his mother ? '
Thus unto a doubtful service, nay unto certain de-
struction, Psyche prepared herself how she might
make her orison and prayer unto Venus.

" But Venus, after that she was weary with searching
over all the earth for Psyche, returned towards heaven
and commanded that one should prepare the chariot
which her husband Vulcanus had most curiously
shaped and given unto her as a marriage gift before
that she had first entered the bridal chamber ; and
it was so finely wrought that it had been made the
more precious even of the very gold which the file
had taken away. Four white doves, out of all those
that stood sentinel to the chamber of their lady,
stepped very briskly in front and bowed their
B 257

LUCIUS APULEIUS

columbae, et hilaris incessibus picta colla torquentes
iugum gemmeum subeunt susceptaque domina laetae
subvolant. Currum deae prosequentes gannitti con-
strepenti lasciviunt passeres et ceterae quae dulce
cantitant aves melleis modulis suave resonantes ad-
ventum deae pronuntiaut. Cedunt nubes et caelum
filiae panditur et summus aether cum gaudio suscipit
deam, nee obvias aquilas vel accipitres rapaces perti-
mescit magnae Veneris canora familia.

" Tune se protinus ad lovis regias arces dirigit et
petitu superbo Mercuri, del vocalis, operae neces-
sariam usuram postulat. Nee renuit lovis caerulum
supercilium : tune ovans illico, comitante etiam
Mercuric, Venus caelo demeat eique sollicite serit
verba : ' Prater Arcadi, scis nempe sororem tuam
Venerem sine Mercuri praesentia nil unquam fecisse,
nee te praeterit utique quanto iam tempore delites-
centem ancillam nequiverim repperire : nil ergo
superest quam tuo praeconio praemium investiga-
tionis publicitus edicere. Fac ergo mandatum ma-
tures meum et indicia, qui possit agnosci, manifeste
designes, ne, si quis occultationis illicitae crimen
subierit, ignorantiae se possit excusatione defend ere';
et simul dicens libellum ei porrigit, ubi Psyches
nomen continebatur et cetera. Quo facto protinus
domum secessit.

" Nee Mercurius omisit obsequium : nam per
omnium ora populorum passim discurrens sic man-

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI
rainbow-coloured necks to the yoke of precious gems,
and when Venus was entered in, bore up the chariot
with great diligence. After her chariot there fol-
lowed a number of sparrows chirping about, making
sign of joy, and all other kind of birds sang very
sweetly with honeyed notes, forcshewing the coming
of the great goddess : the clouds gave place, the
heavens opened and the upper air received her
joyfully, the birds that followed, being the tuneful
choir of Venus, nothing feared the eagles, hawks, and
other ravenous fowl in the air. Incontinently she
went unto the royal palace of the god Jupiter, and
with proud and bold petition demanded the service
of Mercury the herald in certain of her affairs, where-
unto Jupiter consented, nodding with his azure brow ;
then with much joy she descended from heaven with
Mercury, and gave him an earnest charge to put in
execution her words, saying : ' O my brother, born
in Arcadia, thou knowest well that I (who am thy
sister) did never enterprise to do anything without
thy presence : thou knowest also how long I have
sought for a girl that is a-hiding and cannot find her :
wherefore there resteth nothing else save that thou
do publicly pronounce the reward to such as take
her. See thou put in execution my commandment,
account the signs by which she may be known, and
declare that whatsoever he be that retaineth her
wittingly against my will, he shall not defend himself
by any mean or excusation.' And when she had
spoken this, she delivered unto him a paper wherein
was contained the name of Psyche arid the residue
of his publication ; which done, she departed away
to her lodging.

" By and by Mercurius, obeying her commands,
proclaimed throughout all the world that whatsoever

259

LUCIUS APULEIUS

datae praedicationis munus exsequebatur : ' Si quis
a fuga retrahere vel occultam demonstrare poterit
fugitivam regis filiam, Veneris ancillam, nomine
Psychen, conveniat retro metas Murtias Mercurium
praedicatorem, accepturus indicivae nomine ab ipsa
Venere septem savia suavia et unum blandientis
appulsu linguae longe mellitum.' Ad hunc modum
pronuntiante Mercurio tanti praemii cupido certatim
omnium mortalium studium arrexerat : quae res
nunc vel maxime sustulit Psyches omnem cuncta-
tionem. lamque fores et ius dominae proximanti
occurrit una de famulitione Veneris, nomine Con-
suetudo, statimque, quantum maxime potuit, excla-
mat : ' Tandem, ancilla nequissima, dominam habere
te scire coepisti ? An pro cetera morum tuorum
temeritate istud quoque nescire te fingis, quantos
labores circa tuas inquisitiones sustinuerimus ? Sed
bene, quod meas potissimum manus incidjsti et inter
Orci cancros iam ipsos haesisti, datura scilicet
9 actutum tantae contumaciae poenas ' ; et auda-
citer in capillos eius immissa manu trahebat earn
nequaquam renitentem. Quam ubi primum induc-
tam oblatamque sibi conspexit Venus, laetissimum
cachinnum extollit, et qualem solent frequenter irati}
caputque quatiens et ascalpens aurem dexteram,
' Tandem ' inquit ' Dignata es socrum tuam salu-
tare ? An potius maritum, qui tuo vulnere pericli-
tatur, intervisere venisti ? Sed esto secura ; iam
enim excipiam te ut bonam nurum condecet ' : et
' Ubi sunt ' inquit ' Sollicitudo atque Tristities,
260

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

he were that could bring back or tell any tidings of
a kind's fugitive daughter, the servant of Venus,
named Psyche, let him bring word to Mercury, behind
the Murtian temple, and for reward of his pains he
should receive seven sweet kisses of Venus and one
more sweetly honeyed from the touch of her loving
tongue. After that Mercury had pronounced these
things, every man was inflamed with desire of so
great a guerdon to search her out, and this was
the cause that put away all doubt from Psyche,
who was all but come in sight of the house ot
Venus : but one of her servants called Custom
came out, who, espying Psyche, cried with a loud
voice : ' O wicked harlot as thou art, now at
length thou shalt know that thou hast a mistress
above thee ; what, beside all thy other bold carriage,
dost thou make thyself ignorant, as if thou diddest
not understand what travail we have taken in search-
ing for thee ? I am glad that thou art come into my
hands, thou art now in the claws of Hell, and shalt
abide the pain and punishment of thy great con-
tumacy ' ; and therewithal she seized her by
the hair, and brought her before the presence of
Venus.

" When Venus espied her brought into her
presence, she began to laugh loudly, as angry
persons accustom to do, and she shaked her head
and scratched her right ear,1 saying : ' Have you now
deigned at length to visit your mother? Or per-
chance to visit your husband, that is in danger of
death by your means ? Be you assured I will handle
you like a daughter ; where be my maidens Sorrow
and Sadness ? ' To whom, when they came, she

i Pliny, Natural History, XI. 45 : " Behind the right ear
likewise is the proper place of Nemesis."

261

LUCIUS APULEIUS

ancillae meae?'; quibus intro vocatis torquendara
tradidit earn. At illae sequentes herile praeceptum
Psychen misellani flagellis afflictam et ceteris tor-
mentis excruciatam iterum dominae conspectui red-
dunt. Tune rursus sublato risu Venus ' Et ecce '
inquit ' Nobis turgidi ventris sui lenocinio commovet
miserationem, unde me praeclara subole aviam beatam
scilicet faciat. Felix vero ego, quae in ipso aetatis
meae flore vocabor avia, et vilis ancillae filius nepos
Veneris audiet. Quamquam inepta ego frustra filium
dicam : impares enim nuptiae, et praetera in villa sine
testibus, et patre non consentiente factae legitimae
non possunt videri, ac per hoc spurius iste nascetur,
si tamen partum omnino perferre te patiemur/
10 "His editis involat earn vestemque plurifariam
diloricat, capilloque discisso et capite conquassato gra-
viter affligit, et accepto frumento et hordeo et milio
et papavere et cicere et lente et faba commixtisque
acervatim confusis in unum grumulum sic ad illam :
' Videris enim mihi tarn deformis ancilla nullo alio sed
tantum sedulo ministerio amatores tuos promereri :
iam ergo et ipsa frugem tuam periclitabor. Discerne
seminum istorum passivam congeriem singulisque
granis rite dispositis atque seiugatis ante istam ves-
peram opus expedituni approbate mihi.' Sic assig-
nato tantorum seminum cumulo ipsa cenae nuptiali
concessit. Nee Psyche manus admolitur inconditae
262

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

delivered Psyche to be cruelly tormented. They
fulfilled the commandment of their mistress, and
after they had piteously scourged her with whips
and had otherwise tormented her, they presented
her again before Venus. Then she began to laugh
again, saying : ' Behold, she thinketh that by reason
of her great belly, which she hath gotten by playing
the whore, to move me to pity, and to make me a
happy grandmother to her noble child. Am not I
happy, that in the nourishing time of all mine age
shall be called a grandmother, and the son of a vile
harlot shall be accounted the grandson of Venus.
Howbeit I am a fool to term him by the name of a
son, since as the marriage was made between unequal
persons, in no town, without witnesses, and not by
the consent of their parents, therefore the marriage
is illegitimate, and the child (that shall be born) a
bastard, if indeed we fortune to suffer thee to live till
thou be delivered.'

" When Venus had spoken these words, she leaped
upon poor Psyche, and (tearing everywhere her
apparel) took her violently by the hair, and dashed
her head upon the ground. Then she took a great
quantity of wheat, barley, millet, poppy-seed, pease,
lentils, and beans, and mingled them all together on
a heap, saying : ' Thou art so evil-favoured, girl,
that thou seemest unable to get the grace of thy
lovers by no other means, but only by diligent and
painful service : wherefore I will prove what thou
canst do ; see that thou separate all these grains one
from another, disposing them orderly in their quality,
and let it be clone to my content before night.' When
she had appointed this heap of seeds unto Psyche, she
departed to a great banquet for a marriage that was
prepared that day. But Psyche went not about to

LUCIUS APULEIUS

illi et inextricabili moli, sed immanitate praecepti
consternata silens obstupescit. Tune formicula ilia
parvula atque ruricola, certa difficultatis tantae
laborisque. miserta contubernalis magni dei socrusque
saevitiam execrata discurrens naviter convocat corro-
gatque cunctam formicarum accolarum classem :
' Miseremini terrae omniparentis agiles alumnae, mise-
remini et Amoris uxori, puellae lepidae, periclitanti
prompta velocitate succurrite.' Ruunt aliae super-
que aliae sepedum populorum undae summoque
studio singulae granatim totum digerunt acervum
separatimque distributis dissitisque generibus e con-
spectu perniciter abeunt.

11 " Sed initio noctis e convivio nuptiali vino ma-
dens et fragrans balsama Venus remeat totumque
revincta corpus rosis micantibus, visaque diligentia
miri laboris, ' Non tuum ' inquit * Nequissima,
nee tuarum manuum istud opus sed illius, cui
tuo, immo et ipsius malo placuisti ' ; et frusto
cibarii panis ei proiecto cubitum facessit. Interim
Cupido solus interioris domus unici cubiculi custo-
dia clausus coercebatur acriter, partim ne petulanti
luxurie vulnus gravaret, partim ne cum sua cupita
conveniret. Sic ergo distentis et sub uno tecto sepa-
ratis amatoribus tetra nox exanclata. Sed Aurora
commodum inequitante vocatae Psychae Venus infit
talia : 'Videsne illud nemus quod fluvio praeter-
264

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK Vl

dissever the grain (as being a thing impossible to be
brought to pass, by reason it lay so confusedly scat-
tered) but being astonied at the cruel nommand-
ment of Venus, sat still and said nothing. Then the
little pismire the ant, that dwelleth in the fields,
knowing and taking pity of the great difficulty and
labour of the consort of so great a god, and cursing
the cruelness of so evil a mother, ran about nimbly
hither and thither, and called to her all the ants of
the country, saying: 'I pray you, my friends, ye
quick daughters of the ground the mother of all
things, take mercy on this poor maid espoused to
Cupid, who is in great danger of her person ; I pray
you help her with all diligence.' Incontinently they
came, the hosts of six-footed creatures one after
another in waves, separating and dividing the grain,
and after that they had put each kind of corn in
order, they ran away again in all haste from her sight
"When night came, Venus returned home from
the banquet well tippled with wine, smelling of
balm, and all her body crowned with garlands of
roses, who when she espied with what great diligence
the work was done, began to say : ' This is not the
labour of thy hands, vile quean, but rather of his
that is amorous of thee to thy hurt and his.' Then
she gave her a morsel of brown bread, and went to
sleep. In the mean season Cupid was closed fast in
the most surest chamber of the house, partly because
he should not hurt himself the more with wanton
dalliance, and partly because he should not speak
with his love. So was the night bitterly passed by
these two lovers divided one from another beneath
the same roof. But when Aurora was driving in
through the morning sky, Venus called Psyche, and
said : ' Seest thou yonder forest that extendeth out

265

LUCIUS APULEIUS

luenti ripisque longis attenditur, cuius imi frutices l
vicinum fontem despiciunt? Oves ibi nitentes aurique
colore2 florentes incustodito pastu vagantur : inde de
coma pretiosi velleris floccum inihi confestira quoquo
modo quaesitum afFeras censeo.'

" Perrexit Psyche volenter, non obsequium qui-
dem ilia functura, sed requiem malorum praecipitio
fluvialis rupis habitura. Sed inde de fluvio musicae
suavis nutricula leni crepitu dulcis aurae divinitus
inspirata sic vaticinatur arundo viridis : ' Psyche,
tantis aerumnis exercita, neque tua miserrim,a morte
meas sanctas aquas polluas nee vero istud horae 3
contra formidabiles oves feras aditum, quoad de solis
flagrantia mutuatae calorem truci rabie soleut efFerri
cornuque acuto et fronte saxea et nonnunquam
venenatis morsibus in exitium saevire mortalium
Sed dum meridies solis sedaverit vaporem et pecua
spiritus fluvialis serenitate conquieverint, poteris sub
ilia procerissima platano, quae raecum simul unum
fluentum bibit, latenter abscondere. Et cum primum
mitigata furia laxaverint oves animum, percussis
frondibus attigui nemoris lanosum aurum repperies,
13 quod passim stirpibus convexis obhaerescit.' Sic
arundo simplex et humana Psychen aegerrimam
salutem suam docebat : nee auscultatu impaenitendo 4

1 Cuius must necessarily refer to the grove, and not to the
river, so that the MSS' gurgites cannot stand. Van der Vliet's
frutices is a possible suggestion.

2 This is the correction of the older editors for the un-
intelligible aurive cole of the MSS.

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

in length with the river-banks, the bushes whereof
look close down upon the stream hard by ? There be
great sheep shining like gold, and kept by no manner
of person; I command thee that thou go thither and
bring me home some of the wool of their fleeces.'

" Psyche arose willingly, not to do her command-
ment, but to throw herself headlong into the water
to end her sorrow. But then a green reed, nurse of
sweet music, inspired by divine inspiration with a
gracious tune and melody, began to say : 'O Psyche,
harried by these great labours, I pray thee not to
trouble or pollute my holy water by thy wretched
death, and yet beware that thou go not towards the
terrible wild sheep of this coast until such time as
the heat of the sun be past ; for when the sun is in
his force, then seem they most dreadful and furious
with their sharp horns, their stony foreheads, and
their poisonous bites wherewith they arm themselves
to the destruction of mankind : but until the midday
is past and the heat assuaged, and until the flock doth
begin to rest in the gentle breeze of the river, thou
mayest hide thyself here by me under this great
plane-tree, which drinks of the river as I do also, and
as soon as their great fury is past and their passion
is stilled, thou mayest go among the thickets and
bushes under the wood-side and gather the locks of
their golden fleeces which thou shalt find hanging
upon the briars.' Thus spake the gentle and
benign reed, shewing a mean to most wretched
Psyche to save her life, which she bare well in

s So Salmasius for the MSS' ittius orac.

4 Why should Psyche be sorry that she had listened to flie
reed, as the MSS '(reading paenitendo) imply? The exact
opposite is the case, and is supplied by Petscheiiig's emendatiou
as in the text.

LUCIUS APULEIUS

diligenter instructa ilia cessavit, sed observatis omni-
bus furatrina facili flaventis auri mollitie congestum
gremium Veneri reportat. Nee tamen apud domi-
nam saltern secundi laboris periculum secundum
testimonium meruit, sed contortis superciliis surri-
dens amarum sic inquit : ' Nee me praeterit huius
quoque facti auctor adulterinus. Sed iam nunc ego
sedulo periclitabor, an oppido forti animo singu-
larique prudentia sis praedita. Videsne insistentem
celsissimae illi rupi mentis ardui verticem, de quo
fontis atri fuscae defluunt undae proxumaeque con-
ceptaculo vallis inclusae Stygias irrigant paludes et
rauca Cocyti fluenta nutriunt ? Indidem mihi de
summi fontis penita scaturigine rorem rigentem
hauritum ista confestim defer urnula.' Sic aiens
crystallo dedolatum vasculum, insuper ei graviora
comminata, tradidit.

14, "At ilia studiose gradum celerans mentis extre-
mum petit cumulum certe vel illic inventura vitae
pessimae finem. Sed cum primum praedicti iugi con-
terminos locos appulit, videt rei vastae letalem diffi-
cultatemr : namque saxum immani magnitudine
procerum et inaccessa salebritate lubricum mediis
e faucibus lapidis fontes horridos evomebat, qui
statim proni foraminis lacunis editi perque proclive
delapsi et angusti canalis exarato1 contecti tramite
i So Petschenig with great probability for the MSS' exarto.
268

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

memory, and with all diligence went and gathered
up such locks as she found and put them in her apron
and carried them home to Venus : howbeit the danger
of this second labour did not please her, nor give her
sufficient witness of the good service of Psyche, but
twisting her brows with a sour resemblance of
laughter, she said: 'Of a certainty I know that
another is the author of this thy deed, but I will
prove if thou be truly of so stout a courage and
singular prudence as thou seemest. Seest thou the
high rock that overhangs the top of yonder great
hill, from whence there runneth down water of black
and deadly colour which is gathered together in the
valley hard by and thence nourisheth the marshes
of Styx and the hoarse torrent of Cocytus ? I charge
thee to go thither and bring me a vessel of that
freezing water from the middest flow of the top of
that spring ' : wherewithal she gave her a bottle of
carven crystal, menacing and threatening her more
rigorously than before.

" Then poor Psyche went in all haste to the top of
the mountain, rather to end her wretched life than
to fetch any water, and when she was come up to the
ridge of the hill, she perceived that it was very
deadly and impossible to bring it to pass, for she saw
a great rock, very high and not to be approached by
reason that it was exceeding rugged and slippery,
gushing out most horrible fountains of waters, which,
bursting forth from a cavernous mouth that sloped
downwards, ran below and fell through a close and
covered watercourse which they had digged out, by
many stops and passages, into the valley beneath. On
each side she saw great dragons creeping upon the
hollow rocks and stretching out their long and bloody
necks, with eyes that never slept devoted to watch -

269

LUCIUS APULEIUS

proxumam convallem latenter incidebant. Dextra
laevaque cautibus cavatis proserpunt et longa colla
porrecti saevi dvacones inconnivae vigiliae luminibus
addictis et in perpetuam lucem pupulis excubantibus.
lamque et ipsae semet muniebant vocales aquae ;
nam et ' Discede/ et ( Quid facis ? Vide/ et ' Quid
agis ? Cave/ et ' Fuge/ et ' Peribis ' subinde clacnant.
Sic impossibilitate ipsa mutata in lapidem Psyche
quamvis praesenti corpore^ sensibus tamen aberat, et
inextricabilis periculi mole prorsus obruta lacrimarum
etiam extreme solacio carebat. Nee Providentiae
bonae graves oculos innocentis animae latuit
aerumna : nam primi lovis regalis ales ilia re-
pente propansis utrimque pinnis affuit rapax aquila,
memorque veteris obsequii, quo ductu Cupidinis
lovi pocillatorem Phrygium sustulerat, opportunam
ferens opem deique numen in uxoris laboribus
percolens, alti culminis diales vias deserit, et ob os
puellae praevolans incipit : ( At tu simplex alio-
quin et expers rerum talium, speras te sanctissimi nee
minus truculenti fontis vel unam stillam posse furari
vel omnino contingere ! Diis etiam ipsique lovi
fbrmidabiles aquas istas Stygias vel fando com-
peristi, quodque vos deieratis per numina deorum,
deos per Stygis maiestatem solere ! Sed cedo istam
urnulam/ et protinus arreptam complexamque fes-
tinat libratisque pinnarum nutantium molibus inter
genas saevientium dentium et trisulca vibramina dra-
conum remigium dextra laevaque porrigens volentes
9.70

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

fulness, their pupils always awake to the unfailing
light, which were appointed to keep the river there :
the very waters protected themselves with voices, for
they seemed to themselves likewise saying : ' Away,
away, what wilt thou do ? Fly, fly, or else thou wilt
be slain.' Then Psyche (seeing the impossibility of
this affair) stood still as though she were transformed
into stone, and although she was present in body,
yet was she absent in spirit and sense, overcome by
reason of the great and inevitable peril which she
saw, in so much that she could not even comfort her-
self with weeping. Yet the sorrow of this innocent
escaped not the watchful eyes of good Providence,
and the royal bird of great Jupiter, the eagle, swept
down on wings stretched out, remembering his old
service which he had done, when by the leading of
Cupid he brought up the Phrygian boy to the
heavens, to be made the butler of Jupiter, and
minding to shew the like service in the person of
the wife of Cupid, and came from the high house of
the skies, and flying past the girl's face said unto
Psyche : ' O simple woman, without all experience of
such things, dost thou think to get or dip up any drop
of this dreadful water ? No, no, assure thyself thou
art never able to come nigh it, for the gods them-
selves, and even very Jupiter, do greatly fear so
much as to name those waters of Styx ; what, have
you not heard that as it is a custom among men to
swear by the puissance of the gods, so the gods do
swear by the majesty of the river Styx ? But give
me thy bottle ' : and suddenly he took it and held
it, and hastened on the poise of his beating wings
betwixt the ravening teeth and terrible darting
tongues of the dragons by right and by left, and
filled it with the water of the river which yet came

271

LUCIUS APULE1US

aquas et ut abiret innoxius permittentes l excipit, com-
mentus ob iussum Veneris patere eique se prae-
ministrare, quare paulo facilior adeundi fuit copia.

16 Sic acceptam cum gaudio plenam urnulam Psyche
Veneri citata rettulit. Nee tamen nutum deae sae-
vientis vel tune expiare potuit : nam sic earn maiora
atque peiora flagitia comminans appellaJT, renidens
exitiabile : ' lam tu quidem maga videris quaedam
mihi et alta prorsus malefica, quae talibus praeceptrs
meis obtemperasti naviter ; sed adhuc istud, mea
pupula, ministrare debebis. Sume istam pyxidem'
(et dedit) ' Protinusque ad inferos et ipsius Orci
ferales penates te derige. Tune conferens pyxidem
Proserpinae, " Petit de te Venus/' dicito, " Modicum
de tua mittas ei formositate, vel ad unam saltern
dieculam sufficiens : nam quod habuit dum filium
curat aegrotum consumpsit atque contrivit omne."
Sed baud immaturius redito, quia me necesse est
indidem delitam theatrum deorum frequentare.'

17 "Tune Psyche vel maxime sensit ultimas fortunas
suas et velamento reiecto ad promptum exitium sese
compelli manifeste comperit : quidni, quae suis
pedibus ultro ad Tartarum Manesque commeare
cogeretur? Nee cunctata diutius pergit ad quam-
piam turrim praealtam indidem sese datura prae-
cipitem ; sic enim rebatur ad inferos recta atque
pulcherrime se posse descendere. Sed turris pro-
rumpit in vocem subitam, et ' Quid te ' inquit
f Praecipitem, o misella, quaeris extinguere ? Quid-
que iam novissimo periculo laborique isto temere
succumbis ? Nam si spiritus corpore tuo semel
fuerit seiugatus, ibis quidem profecto ad imum
Tartarum, sed inde nullo pacto redire poteris.

i The MSS here read minantes or potantes, showing signs of
erasure and alteration. Pe/'mittentes is due to Bluemner, who

272

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI
willingly that he might depart unharmed : for he
feigned that he sought it by the command of Venus,
and so was his coming made somewhat more easy'
Then Psyche, being very joyful thereof, took the full
bottle and quickly presented it to Venus. Nor
would the furious goddess even yet be appeased, but
menacing more and more, and smiling most cruelly,
said: 'What? Thou seemest unto me a very witch
and a most deep enchantress, thou hast so nimbly
obeyed my commands. Howbeit thou shalt do one
thing more, my poppet; take this box and go to
Hell and the deadly house of Orcus, and desire
Proserpina to send me a little of her beauty, as
much as will serve me the space of one day, and say
that such as 1 had is consumed away in tending mv
son that is sick : but return again quickly, for I must
dress myself therewithal, and go to the theatre of
the gods.'

"Then the poor Psyche clearly perceived the end
of all her fortune, seeing that all pretence was
thrown off, and manifestly she was being driven to
present destruction ; and not without cause, as she
was compelled to go upon her own feet to the gulf
and furies of Hell. Wherefore without any further
delay, she went up to a high tower to throw hert>elf
down headlong (thinking that it was the next and
readiest way to Hell) : but the tower (as inspired)
spake suddenly unto her, saying : ' O poor wretch,
why goest thou about to slay thyself? Why dost
thou rashly yield unto thy last peril and danger?
Know thou that if thy spirit be once separate from
thy body thou shalt surely go to Hell, but never to
return again ; wherefore hearken to me. Lace-
also wished to chauge innoxius to iivnoxia : Helm suggested
praestantcs.

S 273

LUCIUS APULEIUS

18 Mihi ausculta: Lacedaemo Achaiae nobilis civitas
non longe sita est ; huius conterminam deviis ab-
ditam locis quaere Taenarum. Inibi spiraculum
Ditis, et per portas hiantes monstratur iter invium,
cui te limine transmeato simul commiseris, iam canale
directo perges ad ipsam Orel regiam. Sed non hacte-
nus vacua debebis per illas tenebras incedere, sed offas
polentae mulso concretas anibabus gestare manibus,
at in ipso ore duas ferre stipes. lamque confecta bona
parte mortiferae viae continuaberis claudum asinum
lignorum gerulum cum agasone simili, qui te rogabit
decidentis sarcinae fusticulos aliquos porrigas ei ; sed
tu nulla voce deprompta tacita praeterito. Nee mora,
cum ad flumen mortuum venies^ cui praefectus Charon
protenus expetens portorium, sic ad ripam ulteriorem
sutili cymba deducit commeantes. Ergo et inter mor-
tuos avaritia vivit, nee Charon ille vel Ditis pater,
tantus deus, quicquam gratuito facit, sed moriens
pauper viaticum debet quaerere, et aes si forte prae
manu non fuerit, nemo eum expirare patietur. Huic
squalido seni dabis nauli nomine de stipibus quas
feres alteram, sic tamen ut ipse sua manu de tuo
sumat ore. Nee setius tibi pigrum fluentum trans-
meanti quidam supernatans senex mortuus putres
attollens manus orabit ut eum intra navigium
trahas : nee tu tamen illicita afflectare pietate.

1 9 Transito fluvio modicum te progressaui textrices
orabunt anus telam struentes, manus paulisper accom-
modes. Nee id tamen tibi contingere fas est: nam
274

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI
daemon, a city of Greece, is not far hence : go thou
thither and enquire for Taenarus, which is hidden in
waste places, whereas thou shalt find a hole, the
breathing-place of Hell, and through the open gate
is seen a pathless way : hereby if thou enter across
that threshold, thou shalt come by a straight passage
even to the palace of Pluto. But take heed that
thou go not with empty hands through that place of
darkness : but carry two sops sodden in the flour of
barley and honey in thy hands, and two halfpence in
thy mouth ; and when thou hast passed a good part of
that deadly way thou shalt see a lame ass carrying of
wood, and a lame fellow driving him, who will desire
thee to give him up certain sticks that fall down from
his burden, but pass thou on silently and do nothing.
By and by thou shalt come unto the dead river,
whereas Charon is ferryman, who will first have his
fare paid him before he will carry the souls over the
river in his patched boat. Hereby you may see that
avarice reigneth even amongst the dead ; neither
Charon nor Pluto will do anything for nought: for if
if it be a poor man that is near to die, and lacketh
money in his hand, none will allow him to give up the
ghost. Wherefore deliver to the foul old man one of
the halfpence which thou bearest for thy passage,
but make him receive it with his own hand out of
thy mouth. And it shall come to pass as thou sittest
in the boat, thou shalt see an old man swimming on
the top of the river holding up his deadly hands, and
desiring thee to receive him into the bark ; but have
no regard to his piteous cry, for it is not lawful to do
so. When thou art past over the flood thou shalt espy
certain old women weaving who will desire thee to
help them, but beware thou do not consent unto
them in any case, for these and like baits and traps

275

haec omnia tibi et multa alia d^f Veneris insidiis
orientur, ut vel unam de manibus omittas offulam :
nee putes futile istud polentacium damnum leve ;
altera enim perdita, lux haec tibi prorsus denegabitur.
Canis namque praegrandis, teriugo et satis amplo
capite praedituSj hnmanis et formidabilis, tonantibus
oblatrans faucibus mortuos, quibus iam nil mali potest
facere, frustra territando ante ipsuni limen et atra
atria Proserpinae semper excubans servat vacuam
Ditis domuna : hunc offrenatum unius ofFulae praeda
facile praeteribis, ad ipsamque protinus Proserpinam
introibis, quae te comiter excipiet ac benigne, ut et
molliter assidere et prandium opipare suadeat sumere.
Sed tu et humi reside et panem sordidum petitum
esto, deinde nuntiato quid adveiieris, susceptoque
quod offeretur, rursus remeans canis saevitiam offula
reliqua redime, ac deinde, avaro navitae data quam re-
servaveras stipe transitoque eius fluvio, recolens priora
vestigia ad istum caelestium siderum redies chorum.
Sed inter omnia hoc observandum praecipue tibi
censeo, ne velis aperire vel inspicere illam quam feres
pyxidem vel omnino divinae formositati addictum
curiosius thesaurum.'

go " Sic turris ilia prospicua vaticinationis munus
explicuit. Nee morata Psyche pergit Taenarum,
sumptisque rite stipibus illis et offulis, infernum
decumt meatum transitoque per silentium asinario
debili et amnica stipe vectori data, neglecto super-
natantis mortui desiderio, et spretis textricum sub-
dolis precibus, et offulae cibo sopita canis horrenda
rabie, domum Proserpinae penetrat : nee offerentis

276

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

will Venus set, to make thee let fall but one of thy
sops : and think not that the keeping of thy sops
is a light matter, for if thou lose one of them thou
shalt be assured never to return again to this world.
For there is a great and marvellous dog with three
heads, huge and horrid, barking continually at the
souls of such as enter in, to frighten them with vain
fear, by reason he can now do them no harm ; he
lieth day and night before the gate of Proserpina,
and keepeth the desolate house of Pluto with great
diligence : to whom, if thou cast one of thy sops,
thou mayest have access to Proserpina without all
danger : she will make thee good cheer, and bid
thee sit soft, and entertain thee with delicate meat
and drink, but sit thou upon the ground and desire
brown bread and eat it, and then declare thy message
unto her, and when thou hast received what she
giveth, in thy return appease the rage of the dog
with the other sop, and give thy other halfpenny to
covetous Charon, and crossing his river come the
same way again as thou wentest in to the upper
world of the heavenly stars : but above all things have
a regard that thou look not in the box, neither be not
too curious about the treasure of the divine beauty.'
" In this manner the high tower prophetically
spake unto Psyche, and advertised her what she
should do : and immediately she took two half-
pence, two sops, and all things necessary and went
unto Taenarus to go towards Hell, and thence
passing down in silence by the lame ass, she paid her
halfpenny for passage, neglected the desire of the
dead old man in the river, denied to help the wily
prayers of the women weaving, and filled the
ravenous mouth of the dog with a sop, and came to
the chamber of Proserpina. There Psyche would

277

LUCIUS APULEIUS

hospitae sedile delicatum vel cibum beatum amplexa
sed ante pedes eius residens humilis, cibario pane
contenta, Veneriam pertulit legationem, statimque
secreto repletam conclusamque pyxidem suscipit,
et ofFulae sequentis fraude caninis latratibus ob-
seratis, residuaque navitae reddita stipe, longe
vegetior ab inferis recurrit. Et repetita atque
adorata Candida ista luce, quanquam lestinans ob-
sequium terminare, mentem capitur temeraria curio-
sitate, et ' Ecce ' inquit ' Inepta ego diyinae for-
mositatis gerula, quae nee tantillum quidem indidem
mihi delibo, vel sic illi amatori meo formoso placitura,'
et cum dicto reserat pyxidem : nee quicquam ibi
rerum nee formositas ulla, sed infernus somnus ac
vere Stygius, qui statim coperculo revelatus invadit
earn crassaque soporis nebula cunctis eius membris
perfunditur et in ipso vestigio ipsaque semita col-
lapsam possidet; et iacebat immobilis et nihil aliud
quam dormiens cadaver. Sed Cupido iam cicatrice
solida revalescens nee diutinam suae Psyches ab-
sentiam tolerans, per altissimam cubiculi, quo cohi-
bebatur, elapsus fenestram, vefectisque pinnis ali-
quanta quiete, longe velocius provolans Psych en
accurrit suam, detersoque somno curiose et rursum
in pristinam pyxidis sedem recondito, Psychen
innoxio punctulo sagittae suae suscitat, et fEcce'
inquit ' Rursum perieras, misella, simili curiositate.
Sed interim quidem tu provinciam, quae tibi matris
meae praecepto mandata est, exsequere naviter ;
cetera egomet videro.' His dictis amator levis in
pinnas se dedit, Psyche vero confestim Veneri munus
reportat Proserpinae.
278

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

not sit in any royal seat, nor eat any delicate meats,
but sitting lowly at the feet of Proserpina, only con-
tented with coarse bread, declared the message of
Venus, and after she had received a mystical secret
in the box she departed, and stopped the mouth of
the dog with the other sop, and paid the boatman
the other halfpenny. Then returning more nimbly
than before from Hell, and worshipping the white
light of day, though she was much in haste to come
to the end of her task, she was ravished with great
desire, saying : ' Am not I a fool, that knowing that
I carry here the divine beauty, will not take a little
thereof to garnish my face, to please my lover
withal ? ' And by and by she opened the box, where
she could perceive no beauty nor anything else, save
only an infernal and deadly sleep, which immediately
invaded all her members as soon as the box was
uncovered, covering her with its dense cloud in such
sort that she fell down on the ground, and lay there
in her very steps on that same path as a sleeping
corpse. But Cupid being now healed of his wound
and malady, not able to endure the long absence of
Psyche, got him secretly out at a high window of the
chamber where he was enclosed, and (his wings
refreshed by a little repose) took his flight towards
his loving wife; whom when he had found, he wiped
away the sleep from her face, and put it again into
the box, and awaked her with an harmless prick of
the tip of one of his arrows, saying : ' O wretched
captive, behold thou wert well nigh perished again
with thy overmuch curiosity ; well, go thou, and do
bravely thy message to my mother, and in the mean
season I will provide all things accordingly ' ; where-
withal he took his flight into the air, and Psyche
brought to Venus the present of Proserpina.

279

LUCIUS APULEIUS

22 -r /nterea Cupido, amore nimio peresus et aegra
facie, matris suae repentinam sobrietatem perti-
mescens ad armilliim redit alisque pernicibus caeli
penetrate vertice magno lovi supplicat suamque
causam probat. Tune luppiter prehensa Cupidinis
buccula manuque ad os suum relata consaviat, atque
sic ad ilium ' Licet tu ' inquit ' Domine fili, nunquam
mi hi concessu deum decretum servaris honorem, sed
istud pectus meum, quo leges elementorum et vices
siderum disponuntur, convulneraris assiduis ictibus
crebrisque terrenae libidinis foedaveris casibus, con-
traque leges et ipsam luliam disciplinamque publicam
turpibus adulteriis existimationem famamque meam
laeseris, in serpentes, in ignes, in feras, in aves et
gregalia pecua serenos vultus meos sordide re-
formando ; at tamen modestiae meae memor quodque
inter istas meas manus creveris, cuncta perficiam,
dum tamen scias aemulos tuos cavere ac, si qua nunc
in terris puella praepollet pulchritudine, praesentis
beneficii vicem per earn mihi repensare te debere.'

23 " Sic fatus iubet Mercurium deos omnes ad con-
tionem protinus convocare ac si qui coetu caelestium
defuisset, in poenam decem milium nummum conven-
tum iri pronuntiare. Quo metu statim completo

1 The law of Augustus against adultery. See the com-
mentators on Juvenal, II. 37.

2 The various forms assumed by Jupiter in his love-affuirs
with earthly women. C'f. Ovid, Metamorphoses, II. 103 :

"The Lydian maiden in her web did portray to the

full

How Europe was by royal Jove beguiled in shape of
Bull. . . .

She portrayed also there

Asterie struggling with an Erne which did away her bear.
And over Leda she had made a Swan his wings to splay.

280

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

" Now Cupid being more and more in love with
Psyche, and fearing the sudden austerity of his
mother, returned again to his tricks, and did pierce
on swift wings into the heavens, and arrived before
Jupiter to declare his cause : then Jupiter alter that
he had eftsoons embraced his dear i'ace and kissed
his hand, began to say in this manner : ' O my
lord and son, although thou hast not given due
reverence and honour unto me as thou oughtest to
do, but hast rather soiled and wounded this my
breast (whereby the laws and order of the elements
and planets be disposed) with continual assaults of
terrene luxury and against all laws, yea even the
Julian l law, and the utility of the public weal,
hurting my fame and name by wicked adulteries,
and transforming my divine beauty into serpents,
fire, savage beasts, birds, and bulls.2 Howbeit
remembering my modesty, and that I have nourished
thee with mine own proper hands, I will do and
accomplish all thy desire. But still thou shouldest
beware of spiteful and envious persons, and if there
be any excellent maiden of comely beauty in the
world, remember yet the benefit which I shall shew
unto thee, by recompense of her love towards me
again.'

" When he had spoken these words, lie com-
manded Mercury to call all the gods to counsel, and
if any of the celestial powers did fail of appearance,
he should be condemned in ten thousand pounds :
which sentence was such a terror unto all the gods,

She added also how by Jove in shape of Satyr g&y
The fair Antiope with a pair of children was besped. . . .

And now he also came

To Danae like a shower of gold, to Aejrine like a flame,
A shepherd to Mnemosyne, and like a Serpent sly
To Proserpine."

LUCIUS APULEIUS

caelesti theatre, pro sede sublimi sedens procerus
luppiter sic enuntiat : ' Dei conscripti Musarum albo,
adulescentem istum quod manibus meis alumnatus
sim, profeeto scitis omnes, cuius primae iuventutis
ealoratos impetus freno quodamcoercendos existimavi.
Sat est cotidianis eum fabulis ob adulteria cunctasque
corruptelas infamatum : tollenda est omnis occasio et
luxuria puerilis nuptialibus pedicis alliganda. Puellam
elegit et virginitate privavit : teneat, possideat, ana-
plexus Psychen semper suis amoribus perfruatur': et
adVenerem collata facie, ' Nee tu,' inqtiit ' Filia, quic-
quam contristere nee prosapiae tantae tuae statuque
de matrimonio mortali metuas. lam faxo nuptias
non impares sed legitimas et iure civili congruas,' et
illico per Mercurium arripi Psychen et in caelum
perduci iubet. Porrecto ambrosiae poculo, ' Sume/
inquit ' Psyche, et immortalis esto ; nee unquam
digredietur a tuo nexu Cupido sed istae vobis erunt
perpetuae nuptiae.'

24 " Nee mora, cum cena nuptiaKs affluens exhibetur .
accumbebat summum torum maritus, Psychen gremio
suo complexus ; sic et cum sua lunone luppiter ac
deinde per ordinem toti del. Tune poculum nec-
taris, quod vinum deorum est, lovi quidem suus po-
cillator, ille rusticus puer, ceteris vero Liber mini-
strabat, Vulcanus cenam coquebat, Horae rosis et
ceteris floribus purpurabant omnia, Gratiae sparge-
282

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

that the high theatre was replenished with them, and
Jupiter began to speak in this sort : ' O ye Gods,
registered in the books of the Muses, you all doubt-
less know this young man Cupid, whom I have
nourished with mine own hand, whose raging flames
of his first youth I have thought best to bridle and
restrain. It sufficeth in that he is defamed in every
place for his adulterous living and all manner of vice ;
wherefore all such occasion ought to be taken away
and his boyish wantonness tied up in the bonds of
marriage : he hath chosen a maiden that favoureth
him well, and hath bereaved her of her virginity ; let
him have her still and possess her, and in the
embrace of Psyche take his own pleasure.' Then he
turned unto Venus, and said : ' And you, my
daughter, take you no care, neither fear the dis-
honour of your progeny and estate, neither have
regard in that it is a mortal marriage, for I will see
to it that this marriage be not unequal, but just,
lawful, and legitimate by the law civil.' Incon-
tinently after, Jupiter commanded Mercury to bring
up Psyche into the palace of heaven. And then
he took a pot of immortality, and said : ' Hold,
Psyche, and drink to the end thou mayest be
immortal, and that Cupid may never depart from
thee, but be thine everlasting husband.'

" By and by the great banquet and marriage feast
was sumptuously prepared. Cupid sat down in the
uppermost seat with his dear spouse between his
arms : Juno likewise with Jupiter and all the other
gods in order : Ganymedes, the rustic boy, his own
butler, filled the pot of Jupiter, and Bacchus served
the rest : their drink was nectar, the wine of the
gods. Vulcanus prepared supper, the Hours decked
up the house with roses and other sweet flowers, the

LUCIUS APULEIUS

bant balsama, Musae quoque canora personabant,
Apollo caiitavit ad citharam, Venus suavi musicae
superingressa formosa saltavit : scaena sibi sic con-
cinnata, ut Musae quidem chorum canerent et tibias
inflarent, Satyrus et Paniscus ad fistulam dicerent. Sic
rite Psyche convenit in manum Cupidinis, et nascitur
illis maturo partu filia, quam Voluptatem nominamus."

25 Sic captivae puellae delira et temulenta ilia narra-
bat anicula ; sed astans ego non procul dolebam me-
hercules quod pugillares et stilum non habebam, qui
tarn bellam fabellam praenotareni. Ecce confecto
nescioquo gravi proelio latrones adveniunt onusti ;
nonnulli tamen, immo promptiores, vulneratis domi
relictis et plagas recurantibus, ipsi ad reliquas occul-
tatas in quadam spelunca sarcinas, ut aiebant, pro-
ficisci gestiunt ; prandioque raptim tuburcinato, me
et equum meum vectores rerum illarum futures fusti-
bus exinde tundentes producunt in viam, multisque
clivis et anfractibus fatigatos prope ipsam vesperam
perducunt ad quampiam speluncam, unde multis
onustos rebus rursunx, ne breviculo quidem tempore
refectos ociter reducunt, tantaque trepidatione fes-
tinabant, ut me plagis multis obtundentes propellen-
tesque super lapidem propter viam positum deicerent:
unde crebris aeque ingestis ictibus crure dextero et
ungula sinistrame debilitatum aegre ad exsurgendum

26 compellunt, et unus " Quousque " inquit " Ruptum
istum asellum, nunc etiam claudum^ frustra pasce-
mus ? ", et alius : " Quid quod et pessimo pede domum
nostram accessit, nee quicquam idonei lucri exinde

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

Graces threw about balm, the Muses sang with sweet
harmony, Apollo turned pleasantly to the harp, fair
Venus danced finely to the music, and the entertain-
ment was so ordained that while the Muses sang in
quire, Satyrus and Paniscus played on their pipes :
and thus Psyche was married to Cupid, and after in
due time she was delivered of a child, whom we call
Pleasure."

This the trifling and drunken old woman declared
to the captive maiden, but I, poor ass, not standing
far off, was not a little sorry in that I lacked pen and
book to write so worthy a tale ; when by and by the
thieves came home laden with treasure, and many of
them which were of strongest courage being wounded :
then (leaving behind such as were lame and hurt
to heal and air themselves) said they would return
back again to fetch the rest of their pillage which
they had hidden in a certain cave. So they snatched
up their dinner greedily, and brought forth me and
my horse into the way to carry those goods, and beat
us before them with staves, and about night (after
that we were weary by passing over many hills and
dales) we came to a great cave, where they laded us
with mighty burdens, and would not suffer us to
refresh ourselves any season, but brought us again in
our way, and hied very fast homeward ; and what
with their haste and cruel stripes wherewith they
did belabour and drive me, I fell down upon a stone
by the highway side. Then they beat me pitifully
in lifting me up, hurting my right thigh and my
left hoof, and one of them said : " How long shall we
continue to feed this evil-favoured ass that is now
also lame ? " Another said : " Since the time we had
him first he never did any good, and 1 think he came
into our house with evil luck ; for we have had great

285

cepimus sed vulnera et fortissimorum occisiones."
Alius iterum : " Certe ego cum primum sarcinas istas
quamquam invitus pertulerit, protinus eum vulturiis
gratissimum pabulum futurum praecipitabo."

Dum secum mitissimi homines altercant de mea
nece, iam et domum perveneramus, nam timor ungu-
las mihi alas fecerat. Turn quae ferebamus amoliti
properiter, nulla salutis nostrae cura sed ne meae
quidem necis habita, comitibus adscitis qui vulnerati
remanserant, dudum recurrunt reliqua laturi l taedio,
ut aiebant, nostrae tarditatis. Nee me tamen medio-
cris carpebat scrupulus contemplatione comminatae
mihi mortis, et ipse mecum : " Quid stas, Luci, vel
quid iam novissimum expectas ? Mors, et haec
acerbissima, decreto latronum tibi comparata est.
Nee magno conatu res indiget ; vides istas rupinas
proximas et praeacutas in his prominentes silices,
quae te penetrantes antequam decideris, membratim
dissipabunt. Nam et ilia ipsa praeclara magia tua
vultum laboresque tibi tantum asini, verum corium
non asini crassum sed hirudinis tenue membranulum
circumdedit. Quin igitur masculum tandem sumis
animum tuaeque saluti dum licet consulis ? Habes
summam opportunitatem fugae, dum latrones absunt
An custodiam anus semimortuae formidabis, quam
licet claudi pedis tui calce unica finire poteris ? Sed
quo gentium capessetur fuga vel hospitium quis dabit ?
Haec quidem inepta et prorsus asinina cogitatio : quis
enim viantium vectorem suum non libenter auferat

secum

27 Et alacri statim nisu lorum, quo fueram destinatus,
abrumpo, meque quadripedi cursu proripio, nee tamen

1 The MSS have recurrunt relatori taedio. Van der Vliet
proposed reliqua ipsi laturi for the middle word, and I have
followed him, omitting the ipsi.

286

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

wounds since, and loss of our valiant captains."
Another said : « As soon as he has brought un-
willingly home his burden, I will surely throw him
out upon the mountain to be a prey for vultures."

While these gentle men reasoned together of my
death, we fortuned to come home, for the fear that
I was in caused my feet to turn into wings. After
that we were discharged of our burdens, they took
no account of our needs, nor even of my slaying ;
they fetched their fellows that lay wounded, and
returned again to bring the rest of the things, by
reason (as they said) of our great tardiness and slow-
ness by the way. Then was I brought into no small
anguish, when I perceived my death prepared before
my face, and I communed with myself : " Why
standest thou still, Lucius ? Why dost thou look
for thy death ? Knowest thou not that the thieves
have cruelly ordained to slay thee, and they shall
find it easy enough? Seest thou not these sharp
precipices and pointed flints which shall bruise and
tear thee in pieces or ever thou comest to the bottom
of them ? Thy gentle magician hath not only given
thee the shape and travail of an ass, but also a skin
so soft and tender as it were of a leech. Why dost
thou not take a man's courage and run away to save
thy life ? Now hast thou the best occasion of flight
while the thieves are from home. Art thou afraid
of the old woman, which is more than half dead,
whom with a stripe of thy heel, though lame, thou
mayest easily dispatch? .But whither shall I. fly?
What lodging shall I seek ? Behold an assy cogita-
tion of mine ; for who is he that passes by the way
and will not gladly take up a beast to carry him ? "

Then while I devised these things, I broke sud-
denly the halter wherewith I was tied, and ran away

287

LUCIUS APULEIUS

acutulae anus milvinos oculos effugere potui : nam
ubi me conspexit absolutum, capta super sexum et
aetatem audacia lorum prehendit ac me deducere ac
revocare contendit. Nee tamen ego, memor exitia-
bilis propositi latronum, pietate ulla commoveor, sed
incussis in earn posteriorum pedum calcibus protinus
applodo terrae. At ilia, quamvis humi prostrata, loro
tamen tenaciter inhaerebat, ut me procurrentem ali-
quantisper tractu sui sequeretur, et occipit statim
clamosis ululatibus auxilium validioris manus im-
plorare. Sed fruslra fletibus cassum tumultum
commovebat, quippe cum nullus adforet qui sup-
petias ei ferre posset, nisi sola ilia virgo captiva.
Quae vocis excitu procurrens videt Hercule memo-
randi spectaculi scaenam, non tauro sed asino
dependentem Dircen aniculam, sumptaque constantia
virili facinus audet pulcherrimum. Extorto etenim
loro manibus eius rne placidis gannitibus ab impetu
revocatum naviter inscendit et sic ad cursum rursum
28 incitat. Ego simul voluntariae fugae voto et liber-
andae virginis studio, sed et plagarum suasu, quae me
saepicule commonebant, equestri celeritate quadripedi
cursu solum replaudens virgini delicatas voculas ad-
hinnire temptabam. Sed et scabendi dorsi mei simu-
latione nonnunquam obliquata cervice pedes decoros
puellae basiabam.

288

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

with all my four feet l : howbeit I could not escape
the kite's eyes of the old woman, for when she saw
me loose she ran after me, and with more audacity
than becometh her kind and age, caught me by the
halter and thought to pull me home ; but I, not
forgetting the cruel purposes of the thieves, was
moved with small pity, for I kicked her with my
hinder heels to the ground. I had well nigh slain
her, who (although she were thrown and hurled down)
yet held still the halter and would not let me go,
but was for some time dragged along the ground by
me in my flight. Then she cried with a loud voice
and called for succour of some stronger hand, but
she little prevailed because there was no person to
bring her help, save only the captive gentlewoman,
who, hearing the voice of the old woman, came out
to see what the matter was and perceived a scene
worth telling, a new Dirce 2 hanging, not to a bull,
but to an ass. Then she took a good courage and
performed a deed worthy of a man : she wrested
the halter out of her hands, and (entreating me with
gentle words) stopped me in my flight and got upon
my back and drove me to my running again. Then
I began to run, both that I might escape and to save
the maiden, and she gently kicked me forward, in so
much that beneath her frequent urging I seemed to
scour away like a horse, galloping with my four feet
upon the ground. And when the gentlewoman did
speak I would answer her with my braying, and
oftentimes (under colour to rub my back) I would
turn back my neck and sweetly kiss her tender feet.

1 Quadripcdi curxu seems to be a phrase for galloping, as
in modern Greek errd rfofftpa.

2 Dirce was killed by being tied by her hair to a wild bull in
revenge for her similar cruelty to her rival Antiope.

T 289

LUCIUS APULEIUS

Tune ilia suspirans altius, caelumque sollicito vultu
petens " Vos," inquit " Superi, tandem meis su-
premis periculis opera facite, et tu, Fortuna durior*
iam saevire desiste : sat tibi miseris istis cruciatibus
meis litatum est. Tuque, praesidium meae libertatis
meaeque salutis, si me domum pervexeris incolumem
parentibusque et formoso proco reddideris, quas tibi
gratias perhibebo, quos honores habebo, quos cibos
exhibebo ? Iam primum iubam istam tuam probe
pectinatam meis virginalibus monilibus adornabo,
frontem vero crispatam prius decoriter discriminabo
caudaeque setas incuria lavacri congestas et horridas,
cornptas diligenter mollibo,1 bullisque te multis aureis
inoculatum, velut stellis sidereis relucentem, et
gaudiis popularium pomparum ovantem, sinu serico
progestans nucleos et edulia mitiora, te meum sospita-
29 torem cotidie saginabo. Sed nee inter cibos delicatos
et otium profundum vitaeque totius beatitudinem
deerit tibi dignitas gloriosa : narn memoriam praesentis
fortunae meae divinaeque providentiae perpetua testa-
tione signabo, et depictam in tabula fugae praesentis
imaginem meae domus atrio dedicabo. Visetur et in
fabulis audietur doctorumque stilis rudis perpetua-
bitur historia ' Asino vectore virgo regia fugiens
captivitatem.' Accedes antiquis et ipse miraculis et

1 The MSS are here very uncertain and have been altered
and erased. Mollibois Leo's suggestion, which I combine with
the oomptas {MSS compta) of Kronenberg.

290

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

Then she, fetching a sigh from the bottom of her
heart, lifted up her eyes unto the heavens, saying :
" O sovereign gods, deliver me, if it be your pleasure,
from these present dangers ; and thou, cruel fortune,
cease thy wrath ; let the sorrow suffice thee which I
have already sustained. And thou, little ass, that
art the occasion of my safety and liberty, if thou
canst once render me safe and sound to my parents,
and to that comely one that so greatly desireth to
have me to his wife, thou shalt see what thanks I
will give thee, with what honour I will reward thee,
and how I will feed thee. First I will finely comb
thy mane and adorn it with my maiden necklaces,
and then I will bravely dress the hair of thy fore-
head, and tie up thy rugged tail trimly, whose
bristles are now ragged and matted by want of care :
I will deck thee round about with golden trappings
and tassels, in such sort that thou shalt glitter like
the stars of the sky, and shalt go in triumph amid
the applause of the people : I will bring thee every
day in my silken apron the kernels of nuts, and will
pamper thee up with dainty delights ; I will set
store by thee, as by one that is the preserver of my
life. Finally, thou shalt lack no manner of thing,
and amongst thy glorious fare, thy great ease, and
the bliss of thy life, thou shalt not be destitute of
dignity, for thou shalt be chronicled perpetually
in memory of my present fortune, and the providence
divine. All the whole history of this our present
flight shall be painted upon the wall of our house :
thou shalt be renowned throughout all the world,
and this tale (though rude) shall be registered in the
books of doctors, how an ass saved the life of a young
maiden, a princess, that was a captive amongst
thieves. Thou shalt be numbered amongst the

291

LUCIUS APULEIUS

iam credemus exemplo tuae veritatis et Phrixum
arieti supernatasse et Arionem delphinum guber-
nasse et Europam tauro supercubasse. Quod si vere
lupiter mugivit in bovem, potest in asino meo latere
aliqui vel vultus hominis vel fades deorum."

Dum haec identidem puella replicat votisque cre-
bros intermiscet suspiritus, ad quoddam pervenimus
trivium, unde me arrepto capistro dirigere dextrorsum
magnopere gestiebat, quod ad parentis eius ea scilicet
iretur via. Sed ego gnarus latrones iliac ad reliquas
commeasse praedas, renitebar firmiter atque sic in
animo meo tacitus expostulabam : " Quid facis, infelix
puella ? Quid agis ? Cur festinas ad Orcum ? Quid
meis pedibus facere contendis ? Non enim te tantum,
verum etiam me perditum ibis." Sic nos diversa
tendentes et in causa finali de proprietate soli, immo
viae herciscundae contendentes, rapinis suis onusti
coram deprehendunt ipsi latrones et ad lunae splen-
dorem iam hide longius cognitos risu maligno salu-
30 tant ; et unus e numero sic appellat : " Quorsum
istam festinanti vestigio lucubratis viam nee noctis
intempestae Manes Larvasque formidatis ? An tu,
probissima puella, parentes tuos intervisere propera-
bas ? Sed nos et solitudini tuae praesidium praesta-
bimus et ad parentes tuos iter monstrabimus," et
unus manu secutus prehenso loro retrorsum me cir-
cumtorquet, nee baculi nodosi quod gerebat stietis
ictibus temperat. ^Tunc ingratis ad promptum re-
currens exitium reminiscor doloris ungulae et occipio
292

tHE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI
ancient miracles : we shall believe by the example
of this truth that Phrixus saved himself from drown-
ing upon a ram, Arion escaped upon a dolphin, and
that Europa rode upon a bull. If Jupiter trans-
formed himself into a lowing bull, why may it not be
that under shape of this ass is hidden the figure of a
man, or some power divine ? "

While that the virgin did thus mix sorrowful sighs
with her hopes and prayers we fortuned to come to
a place where three ways did meet, and she took me
by the halter and would have me turn on the right
hand to her father's house, but I (knowing that the
thieves were gone that way to fetch the residue
of their pillage) resisted with my head as much as
I might, saying within myself: " What wilt thou do,
unhappy maiden? Why wouldest thou go so will-
ingly to Hell ? Why wilt thou run into destruction
in despite of my feet ? Why dost thou seek thine
own harm and mine likewise ? " And while we two
strove together like men striving at law about the
division of land, or rather about some right of way,
the thieves returned laden with their prey, and per-
ceived us afar off by the light of the moon : and
after they had known us they laughed despitefully,
and one of them began to say : " Whither go you so
hastily ? Be you not afraid of spirits and ghosts of
the night ? And you (you harlot) do you go to see
your parents ? Come on, we will bear you company
for safety's sake and shew you the way to your
parents." And therewithal one took me by the
halter and drove me back again, beating me cruelly
with a great staff that he had, full of knobs ; then I
returning against my will to my ready destruction,
and remembering the grief of my hoof, began to
shake my head and to wax lame, but he that led me

293

LUCIUS APULEIUS

nutanti capite claudicare : sed " Ecce " inquit ille
qui me retraxerat, " Rursum titubas et vacillas et
putres isti tui pedes fugere possunt, ambulare nes-
ciunt ! At paulo ante pinnatam Pegasi vincebas
celeritatem." Dum sic mecum fustem quatiens
benign us iocatur comes, iam domus eorum extremam
loricam perveneramus, et ecce de quodam ramo
procerae cupressus induta laqueum anus ilia pende-
bat ; quam quidern detractam protinus cum suo sibi
funiculo devinctam dedere praecipitem puellaque
statim distenta viiiculis cenam, quam postuma dili-
gentia praeparaverat infelix anicula, ferinis invadunt
animis.

3 1 Ac dum avida voracitate cuncta contruncant, iam
incipiunt de nostra poena suaque vindicta secum
considerare. Et utpote in coetu turbulento variae
fuere sententiae, ut primus vivam cremari censeret
puellam, secundus bestiis obici suaderet, tertius pati-
Imlo suffigi iube.ret, quartus tormentis excarnificari
praeciperet ; certe calculo cunctorum utcumque mors
ei fuerat destinata. Tune unus omnium sedato
tumultu, placido sermone sic orsus est : " Nee sectae
collegii nee mansuetudini singulorum ac ne meae
quidem modestiae congruit pati vos ultra modum
delictique saevire terminum, nee feras nee eruces nee
ignes nee tormenta ac ne mortis quidem maturatae
festinas tenebras accersere. Meis itaque consiliis
auscultantes vitam puellae, sed quam meretur, largi-

294

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI

by the halter said: "What, dost thou stumble?
Canst thou not go ? These rotten feet of thine can
run well enough, but they cannot walk ; thou couldst
mince it finely even now with the gentlewoman, so
that thou didst seem to pass the horse Pegasus in
swiftness." In jesting and saying these kindly
words they beat me again with a great staff, and
when we were come almost home we saw the old
woman hanging by a noose upon a bough of a cypress-
tree ; then one of them cut her down where she
hanged, together with her rope, and cast her into
the bottom of a great ditch. After this they bound
the maiden in chains and fell greedily to their
victuals which the miserable old woman had provided
for them to eat after she was dead.

Now while they devoured all very gluttonously
they began to devise with themselves of our death
and how they might be revenged. Divers were
the opinions of this divers number, such as might
well be in a turbulent company : the first said that
he thought best the maid should be burned alive ; the
second said she should be thrown out to wild beasts ;
the third said she should be hanged upon a gibbet ;
the fourth said she should be flayed alive with tor-
tures : certainly was the death of the poor maiden
decided by the vote of them all. But one of the
thieves did make them all to be silent, and then very
quietly speak in this manner : "It is not convenient
unto the oath of our company, nor to the clemency
of each person, nor indeed to my own gentleness, to
suffer you to wax more cruel than the quality of the
offence doth merit ; for I would that she should not
be hanged, nor burned, nor thrown to wild beasts,
nor even that she die any sudden death ; but hearken
to my counsel, and grant her life, but life according
* 295

LUCIUS APULEIUS

mini. Nee Vus meraoria deseruit utique quid iamdu-
dum decreveritis de isto asino semper pigro quidem
sed manducone summo, nunc etiam mendaci fictae
debilitatis et virginalis fugae sequestro ministroque.
Hunc igitur iugulare crastino placeat, totisque vacue-
facto praecordiis per mediam alvum nudam virginem,
quam praetulit nobis, insuere, ut sola facie praemi-
nente ceterum corpus puellae nexu ferino coerceat,
tune super aliquod saxum scruposum insiticium et
fartilem asinum exponere et soils ardentis vaporibus
tradere. Sic enim cuncta, quae recte statuistis, ambo
sustinebunt; et mortem asinus quam quidem meruit,
et ilia morsus ferarum, cum vermes membra lania-
bunt, et ignis flagrantiam, cum sol nimis caloribus
inflammarit uterum, et patibuli cruciatum, cum canes
et vultures intima protrahent viscera. Sed et ceteras
eius aerumnas et tormenta numerate : mortuae bestiae
ipsa vivens ventrem habitabit, turn faetore nimio
nares excruciante 1 aestu et mediae diutinae letali
fame tabescet, nee suis saltern liberis manibus mortem
sibi fabricare poterit." Talibus dictis non pedibus
sed totis animis latrones in eius vadunt sententiam.
Quam meis tarn magnis auribus accipiens, quid aliud
quam meum crastinum deflebam cadaver ?

l This word is not in the MSS. Some participle governing
nares seems to hare dropped out.

296

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI
to her desert. You know well what you have
determined already of this dull ass, that always
eateth more than he is worth, and now who feigneth
lameness, and that was the cause and helper of the
flying away of the maid. My mind is that he shall
be slain to-morrow, and when all the guts and en-
trails of his body are taken out let the maid, whom
he hath preferred to us, be stript and sewn into his
belly, so that only her head be without, but the rest
of her body be enclosed within the beast. Then let
us lay this stuffed ass upon a great stone against the
broiling heat of the sun ; so they shall both sustain
all the punishments which you have ordained: for
first the ass shall be slain as he hath deserved ; and
she shall have her members torn and gnawed with
wild beasts, when she is bitten and rent with worms ;
she shall endure the pain of the fire, when the broil-
ing heat of the sun shall scorch and parch the belly
of the ass ; she shall abide the gallows, when the
dogs and vultures shall drag out her innermost
bowels. I pray you number all the torments which
she shall suffer : first, she shall dwell alive within the
paunch of the ass ; secondly, her nostrils shall receive
the carrion stink of the beast ; thirdly, she shall die
for heat and hunger, and she shall find no means to
rid herself from her pains by slaying herself, for her
hands shall be sewn up within the skin of the ass."
This being said, all the thieves consented not by their
votes x only, but with their whole hearts to the
sentence ; and when I (poor ass) heard with my gn/at
ears and understood all their device I did nothing
else save bewail and lament my dead carcass, which
should be handled in such sort on the next morrow.

1 Lit. " by the feet " — a technical term takeu from the
voting-lobbies of the Senate.

297

1 UT primum tenebris abiectis dies inalbebat et
candidum soils curriculum cuncta collustrabat,
quidam de numero latronum pervenit ; sic enim
mutuae salutationis officium indicabat. Is in primo
speluncae aditu residens et ex anhelitu recepto
spiritu tale collegio suo nuntium facit : " Quod ad
domum Milonis Hypatini quam proxime diripuimus
pertinet, discussa sollicitudine iam possumus esse
securi. Postquam vos enim fortissimis viribus cunctis
ablatis castra nostra remeastis^ immixtus ego turbelis
popularium dolentique atque indignant! similis arbi-
trabar super investigatione facti cuiusmodi consilium
caperent, et an et quatenus latrones placeret inquiri,
renuntiaturus vobis, uti mandaveratis, omnia. Nee
argumentis dubiis sed rationibus probabilibus con-
gruo cunctae multitudinis consensu nescioqui Lucius
auctor manifestus facinoris postulabatur, qui proximis
diebus fictis commendaticiis litteris Miloni sese virum
commentitus bonum artius conciliaverat, ut etiam

298

BOOK VII

As soon as the day shone bright and night was past,
and the clear chariot of the sun had spread his bright
beams on every coast, came one of the company of
the thieves (for so his and their greeting did declare) ;
who at his first entry into the cave (after he had
breathed himself and was able to speak) told these
tidings unto his companions in this sort : " Sirs, as
touching the house of Milo of Hypata, which we
forcibly entered and ransacked the last day, we may
put away all fear, and doubt nothing at all ; for after
that you by force and arms had spoiled and taken
away all things in the house, and so returned hither
unto our cave, I (thrusting in amongst the press of
the people and shewing myself as though I were sad
and sorrowful for the mischance) consulted with them
for the bolting out of the matter, whether and how
far they would devise for the apprehension of the
thieves, to the intent I might learn and see all that
was done to make relation thereof unto you, as you
willed me, The whole fact at length by manifest
and evident proofs, as also by the common opinion
and judgement of all the people, was laid to one
Lucius' charge, as manifest author of this committed
robbery, who, a few days before, by false and forged
letters and coloured honesty, had feigned himself to
be a true man and had gotten himself so far in favour
with this Milo that he entertained him into his house

299

LUCIUS APULEIUS

hospitio susceptus inter familiares intimos haberetur,
plusculisque ibidem diebus demoratus falsis amoribus
ancillae Milonis animum irrepens ianuae claustra
sedulo exploraverat et ipsa membra, in quis omne
2 patrimonium condi solebat, curiose perspexerat. Nee
exiguum scelerati monstrabatur indicium, quippe
cum eadem nocte sub ipso flagitii momento idem
profugisset nee exinde usquam compareret ; nam et
praesidium fugae, quo velocius frustratis insecutoribus
procul ac procul abderet sese, eidem facile suppedi-
tasse : equum namque ilium suum candidum vectorem
futurum duxisse secum. Plane servum eius ibidem in
hospitio repertum scelerum consiliorumque herilium
futurum indicem per magistratus in publicam custo-
diam receptum, et altera die tormentis vexatum pluri-
bus ac paene ad ultimam mortem excarnificatum nil
quicquam rerum talium esse confessum, missos tamen
in patriam Lucii illius multos numero qui reum
poenas daturum sceleris inquirerent."

Haec eo enarrante, veteris fortunae et illius beati
Lucii praesentisque aerumnae et infelicis asini facta
comparatione medullitus ingemebam, subiitque me
non de nihilo veteris priscaeque doctrinae viros finx-
isse ac pronuntiasse caecam et prorsus exoculatam
esse Fortunam, quae semper suas opes ad malos et
indignos conferat, nee unquam iudicio quemquam
mortalium eligat, immo vero cum iis potissimum de-
versetur, quos procul si videret, fugere deberet,
quodque cunctis est extremius, varias opiniones,
300

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII
and received him as chief of his familiar friends;
which Lucius, after that he had sojourned there a
good space, and won the heart of Milo's maid by
feigned love, did thoroughly learn the ways and doors
of all the house, and curiously viewed the coffers and
chests, wherein was laid the whole substance of Milo.
Neither was there small cause to judge him culpable,
since as the very same night as this robbery was
done, he fled away, and could be found in no place,
and to the intent he might clean escape and better
prevent such as made hue and cry after him, he took
his white horse and galloped away. After this his
servant was found in the house, who was taken as
able to give an information of the felony and escape
of his master, and was committed to the common
gaol, and the next day following was cruelly scourged
and tormented till he was well nigh dt-ad, but he
would confess nothing of the matter ; and when they
could wrest or learn no such thing of him, yet sent
they many persons after towards Lucius' country to
enquire him out, and so take him prisoner to pay the
punishment of that his crime."

As he declared these things, I did greatly lament
with myself to think of mine old and pristine estate,
and what felicity I was sometimes in, in comparison
to the misery that I presently sustained, being
changed into a miserable ass. Then had I no small
occasion to remember how the old and ancient
writers did feign and affirm that fortune was stark
blind and without eyes, because she always be-
stoweth her riches upon evil persons and fools, and
chooseth and favoureth no mortal person by judge-
ment, but is always conversant especially with such
whom if she could see, she would more shun and
forsake ; yea, and which is worse, she soweth such

301

LUCIUS APULEIUS

immo contrarias nobis attribuat, ut et malus boni viri
fama glorietur et innocentissimus contra noxio rumore
S plectatur. Ego denique quern saevissimus eius im-
petus in bestiam et extremae sortis quadripedem
deduxerat, cuiusque casus etiara quovis iniquissimo
dolendus atque miserandus merito videretur, crimine
latrocinii in hospitem mihi carissiraum postulabar.
Quod crimen lion modo latrocinium, verum etiam
parricidium quisque rectius nominarit, nee mihi
tamen licebat causam meam defendere vel unico
verbo saltern denegare. Denique ne mala conscientia
tarn scelesto crimini praesens viderer silentio con-
sentire, hoc tantum impatientia perductus volui
dicere " Non feci." Et verbum quidem praecedens
semel ac saepius immodice clamitavi, sequens vero
nullo pacto disserere potui, sed in prima remansi voce,
et identidem boavi " Non, non," quamquam nimia
rotunditate pendulas vibrassem labias. Sed quid ego
pluribus de Fortunae scaevitate conqueror ? Quam *
nee istud puduit, me cum meo famulo meoque vec-
tore illo equo factum conservum atque coniugem.
4 Talibus cogitationibus fluctuantem subit me ilia
cura potior, qua statute consilio latronum manibus
virginis decretam me victimam recordabar, ventrem-
que crebro suspiciens meum iam misellam puellam
parturibam. Sed ille qui commodum falsam de me
notoriam pertulerat, expromptis mille aureum, quos
insutu laciniae contexerat quosque variis viatoribus

1 The MSS have here quamquam. The correction was
made by Beroaldus.

302

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

diverse or rather contrary opinions in men, that the
wicked do glory with the name of good, and contrary
the good and innocent be detracted and slandered as
evil. Furthermore I, who by her great cruelty was
turned into a four-footed ass in most vile and abject
manner, yea, and whose estate seemed worthy to be
lamented and pitied of the most hard and stony
hearts, was accused of theft and robbing of my dear
host Milo. This villainy might rather be called
parricide than theft, yet might I not defend mine
own cause, or deny the fact by any one word, by
reason I could not speak ; howbeit lest my conscience
should seem to accuse me of so base a crime by reason
of silence, and again being enforced by impatience,
I endeavoured to speak, and fain would have said :
" Never did I do that deed." And verily the first
word, " Never," I cried out once or twice somewhat
handsomely, but the residue I could in no wise pro-
nounce, but still remaining in one voice cried " Never,
never, never," though I settled my hanging lips as
round as I could to speak the rest of it. But why
should I further complain of the cruelty of fortune,
since she was not much ashamed to make me a
fellow-slave and partner with my servant and my
own horse ?

While I pondered tempestuously with myself all
these things, a greater care came to my remembrance,
touching the death which the thieves had devised for
me to be an offering to the ghost of the maiden, and
still as I looked down to my belly, I thought of the
poor gentlewoman that should be closed within me.
Then the thief which a little before had brought the
false news against me, drew out of the skirt of his
coat a thousand gold crowns, which he had rifled
away from such as he met, and cast it very honestly,

303

LUCIUS APULEIUS

detractos, ut aiebat, pro sua frugalitate communi con-
ferebat arcae, infit etiam de salute commilitonum
sollicite sciscitari ; cognitoque quosdam, immo vero
fortissimum quemque variis quidem sed impigris
casibus oppetisse, suadet, tantisper pacatis itineri-
bus omniumque proeliorum servatis induciis, inquisi-
tioni commilitonum potius insisteretur et tirocinio
novae iuventutis ad pristinae manus numerum Martiae
cohortis facies integraretur : nam et invitos terrore
compelli et volentes praemio provocari posse, nee
paucos humili servilique vitae renuntiantes ad instar
tyrannicae potestatis sectam suam conferre malle.
Se quoque iamdudum pro sua parte quendam con-
venisse hominem et statu procerum et aetate iu-
venem et corpore vastum et manu strenuum, eique
suasisse ac denique persuasisse, ut manus hebetatas
diutina pigritia tandem referret ad frugem meliorem
bonoque secundae dum posset frueretur valetudinis,
nee manum validam erogandae stipi porrigeret, sed
5 hauriendo potius exerceret auro Talibus dictis uni-
versi omnes assensere, et ilium qui iam comprobatus
videretur adscisci et alios ad supplendum numerum
vestigari statuunt. Tune profectus et paululum com-
moratus ille perducit immanem quendam iuvenem,
uti fuerat pollicitus, nescio an ulli praesentium com-
parandum (nam praeter ceteram corporis molem toto
vertice cunctos antepollebat et ei commodum lanugo
malis inserpebat) sed plane centunculis disparibus et
304

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

as he said; into the common treasury. Then he care-
fully enquired how the residue of his companions did,
and to him it was declared that the most valiant were
murdered and slain in divers manners, but very bravely;
whereupon he persuaded them to remit all their affairs
a certain season, leaving the highways in peace, and
to seek for other fellows to be in their places, that
by the exercise of new lads the terror of their martial
band might be brought again to the old number ;
and he assured them that such as were unwilling
might be compelled by menaces and threatenings, and
such as were willing might be encouraged forward
with reward : further, he said that there were some
which (seeing the profit which they had) would for-
sake their base and servile estate and rather be con-
tented to live like tyrants amongst them. Moreover,
he declared that for his part he had spoken with
a certain tall man, a valiant companion, but of young
age, stout in body, and courageous in fight, whom he
had advised and at last fully persuaded to exercise
his idle hands, dull with long slothfulness, to his
greater profit, and, while he might, to receive the
bliss of better fortune, and not to hold out his sturdy
arms to beg for a penny, but rather to take as much
gold and silver as he would Then every one con-
sented that he that seemecl so worthy to be their
companion should be one of their company, and that
they would search for others to make up the residue
of the number : whereupon he went out, and by and
by returning again brought in a tall young man, as he
promised, to whom none of the residue might be
compared, for he was higher than they by the head,
and of more bigness in body, though the down of his
beard had but now begun to spread over his cheeks ;
but he was poorly apparelled with rags of divers

305

LUCIUS APULEIUS

male consarcinatis semiamictum, inter quos pectus et
venter crustata crassitie reluctabant.

Sic introgressus " Havete " inquit " Fortissimo
deo Marti clientes, mihique iam fidi commilitones,
et virum magnanimae vivacitatis volentem volentes
accipite, libentius vulnera corpore excipientem quam
auruin manu suscipientem, ipsaque morte, quam for-
midant alii, meliorem. Nee me putetis egenum vel
abiectum, neve de pannulis istis virtutes meas aesti-
metis : nam praefui validissimae manui totamque
prorsus devastavi Macedonian!. Ego sum praedo
famosus, Haemus ille Thracius, cuius totae pro-
vinciae nomen horrescunt, patre Therone aeque la-
trone inclito prognatus, humano sanguine nutritus
interque ipsos manipulos factionis educatus, heres et
6 aemulus virtutis paternae. Sed omnem pristinam
sociorum fortium multitudinem magnasque illas opes
exiguo temporis amisi spatio : nam procuratorem
principis ducenaria perfunctum, dehinc fortuna tris-
tiore decussum, praetereuntem deo l irato fueram
aggressus. Sed rei noscendae carpo ordinem.

" Fuit quidam multis officiis in aula Caesaris clarus
atque conspicuus, ipsi etiam probe spectatus. Hunc
insimulatum quorundam astu proiecit extorrem sae-
xiens invidia : sed uxor eius Plotina, quaedam rarae
fidei atque singularis pudicitiae femina, quae decimo
partus stipendio viri farniliam fundaverat, spretis
atque contemptis urbicae luxuriae deliciis, fugientis

l The MSS have something like praetereumte me orato. The
correction to praetereuntem deo irato (i.e. Mars) is due to
Crusius.

306

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

clothes sewn ill together, in so much that you might
see all his breast and strong belly naked.

As soon as he was entered in, he said : " God
speed ye, soldiers of Mars, and my faithful com-
panions, I pray you make me welcome as one of your
band, and I will ensure you that you shall have a man
of singular courage and lively audacity, for I had
rather receive wounds upon my body than money
or gold in my hands ; and as for death (which other
men do fear) I care nothing at all for it. Yet think
you not that I am an abject or a beggar, neither
judge you my virtue and prowess by my ragged
clothes, for I have been a captain of a great company,
and wasted all the country of Macedonia ; I am the
renowned thief Haemus the Thracian, whose name
whole countries and nations do greatly fear : I am
the son of Theron the notable thief, nourished with
human blood, brought up amongst the stoutest of
such a band, and finally I am inheritor and follower
of my father's virtues. Yet I lost in a short time
all my ancient company and all my riches by one
assault which I made, to my hurt, upon a factor of
the Prince, which sometime had received a wage of
two hundred pounds, but then had been cast down
from his rank by fortune. Hearken, and I will tell
you the whole matter in order.

" There was a certain man in the Court of the
Emperor which had many offices and high renown,
and in great favour with the Prince himself, who at
last by the envy and cunning of divers persons was
banished away and compelled to forsake the Court :
but his wife Plotina, a woman of rare faith and
singular shamefastness, having borne ten children
to her husband to be the foundation of his house,
despised all worldly pomp and delicacy of living in

307

LUCIUS APULEIUS

comes et infortunii socia, tonso capillo in mascii-
linam faciem reformato habitu, pretiosissimis moni-
lium et auro monetali zonis refertis incincta, inter
ipsas custodientium militum manus et gladios nudos
intrepida, cunctorum periculorum particeps et pro
mariti salute pervigilem curam suscipiens, aerum-
nas assiduas ingenio masculo sustinebat. lamque
plurimis itineris difficultatibus marisque terroribus
exanclatis Zacynthum petebat, quam sors ei fatalis
7 decreverat temporariam sedem. Sed cum primum
litus Actiacum, quo tune Macedonia delapsi gras-
sabamur, appulisset, nocte promota tabernulam quan-
dam litori navique proximam, quam l vitatis maris
fluctibus incubabant, invadimus et diripimus omnia,
nee tamen periculo levi temptatidiscessimus. Simul
namque primum sonum ianuae matrona percepit, pro-
currens in cubiculum clamoribus inquietis cuncta
miscuit, milites suosque famulos nominatim, sed et
omnem viciniam suppetiatum convocans, nisi quod
pavore cunctorum, qui sibi quisque metuentes deli-
tescebant, effectum est, ut impune discederemus.
Sed protinus sanctissima — vera enim dicenda sunt —
et unicae fidei femina, bonis artibus gratiosa, preci-
bus ad Caesaris numen porrectis, et marito reditum
celerem et aggressurae plenam vindictam impetravit :
denique noluit esse Caesar Haemi latronis collegium,
et confestim interivit ; tantum potest nutus etiam

i The insertion of quam seems to be necessary here, as
suggested by Luetjohann.

308

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

cities, and determined to follow her husband, anu 10
be a partaker of all his perils and dangers : where-
fore she cut off her hair, disguised herself like a man,
and sewed into her girdle much jewellery and
treasure, passing through the bands of the soldiers
that guarded him and the naked swords without any
fear; whereby she shared all his dangers and en-
dured many miseries with the spirit of a man, not of
a woman, and was partaker of much affliction to save
the life of her husband. And when they had escaped
many perilous dangers as well by land as by sea, they
went towards Zacynthus to continue there for a tune
according as fortune had appointed. But when they
arrived on the sea-coast of Actium (where we in our
return from Macedonia were roving about) when
deep night was come they turned into a house, not
far distant from the shore and their ship, where they
lay all night to escape the tossing of the waves.
Then we entered in and took away all their sub-
stance, but verily we were in great danger, for the
good matron, perceiving us incontinently by the noise
of the gate, went into the chamber, and aroused all
by her cries, calling up soldiers and servants, every
man by his name, and likewise the neighbours that
dwelt round about ; and it was but by reason of the
fear that every one was in,eachone hidinghimself,that
we hardly escaped away. But this most holy woman,
faithful and true to her husband (as the truth must
be declared) and a favourite of all for her great worth,
returned to Caesar desiring his aid and puissance,
and obtained for her husband his soon return and
vengeance for the injury done to him. Then willed
Caesar that the company of Haemus should not any
longer be, and straightway it went to wrack : so
great was the authority and word of the Prince.

309

LUCIUS APULEIUS

magni principis. Tota denique factione militarium
vexillationum indagatu confecta atque concisa, ipse
me furatus aegre solus mediis Orci faucibus ad hunc

8 evasi modum : sumpta veste muliebri florida in
sinus flaccidos abundante, mitellaque textili contecto
cap'ite, calceis femininis albis illis et tenuibus indutus
et in sequiorem sexum incertus atque absconditus,
asello spicas hordeacias gerenti residens per medias
acies - infesti militis transabivi ; nam rnulierena
putantes asinariam concedebant liberos abitus, quippe
cum mihi etiam tune depiles genae levi pueritia
splendicarent. Nee ab ilia tamen paterna gloria vel
mea virtute descivi, quamquam semitrepidus iuxta
mucrones Martios constitutus, sed habitus alieni
fallacia tectus, villas seu castella solus aggrediens-,
viaticulum mihi corrasi," et diloricatis statim pan-
nulis in medium duo milia profudit aureorum, et
" En " inquit " Istam sportulam, immo vero dotem
collegio vestro libens rneque vobis ducem fidissimum,
si tamen non recusatis, offero, brevi temporis spatio
lapideam istam domum vestram facturus auream."

9 Nee mora nee cunctatio, sed calculis omnibus
ducatum latrones unanimes ei deferunt, vestemque
lautiusculam proferunt sumeret abiecto centunculo
divite : sic reformatus singulos exosculatus et in
summo pulvinari locatus cena poculisque magnis
inauguratur. Tune sermonibus mutuis -de virginis
310

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

Howbeit when all my band was lost and cut up by
search of the Emperor's army, I only stole away and
hardly delivered myself from the very jaws of death,
in this manner : I clothed myself in a woman's gaudy
attire, that flowed into loose and free folds, covering
my head with a woven cap, and placing the white and
thin shoes of women upon my feet : and thus hidden
and changed into the similitude of the worser sex,
and mounted upon an ass that carried barley sheaves,
passing through the middle of them all, I escaped
away, because every one deemed I was a woman
that drove asses, by reason at that time I lacked a
beard and my cheeks shone with the colour and
smoothness of a boy's. Howbeit I left not off for all
this, nor did degenerate from the glory of my father
or mine own virtue, though somewhat fearful among
the drawn martial swords, yet disguised like a woman
I invaded towns and castles alone to get sofne prey."
And therewithal he pulled out two thousand crowns^
by ripping up his ragged coat, saying : " Hold here
this gift, or rather this dowry which I present unto
your brotherhood ; hold eke my person, which you
shall always find trusty and faithful if you shall will-
ingly receive me to be your captain : and I will
ensure you that in so doing, within short space I will
make and turn this stony house of yours into gold."
Then by and by every one consented to make him
their captain, and so they gave him a better gar-
ment to wear and throw away his old, wherein the
gold had been. When he had changed his attire,
he embraced them one after another ; then placed
they him in the highest room of the table, and
drank unto him in great cups in token of good luck :
and then they began to talk, and declared unto him
the going away of the gentlewoman, and how I bare

LUCIUS APULEIUS

fuga deque mea vectura et utrique destinata mon-
struosa morte cognoscit, et ubi locorum esset ilia
percontatus deductusque, visa ea, ut erat vinculis
onusta, coiitorta et vituperanti nare discessit, et
" Non sum quidera tarn brutus vel certe temerarius "
inquit " Ut scitum vestrum inhibearn. sed malae
conscientiae reatum intra me sust;./iebo, si quod
bonum mihi videtur dissimulavero. Sed prius fidu-
ciam vestri causa sollicito mihi tribuite, cum praeser-
tim vobis, si sententia baec mea displicuerit, liceat
rursurn ad asinum redire. Nam ego arbitror latrones,
quique eorum recte sapiunt, nihil anteferre lucro
suo debere, ac ne ipsam quidem saepe et aliis
damnosam ultionem. Ergo igitur si perdideritis
in asino virginem, nihil amplius qtiam sine ullo com-
pendio indignationem vestram exercueritis. Quin
ego censeo deducendam earn ad quampiam civitatem
ibique venundandam. Nee enim levi pretio distrain
poterit talis aetatula : nam et ipse quosdam lenones
pridem cognitos habeo, quorum poterit unus magnis
equidem talentis, ut arbitror, puellam istam prae-
stinare, condigne natalibus suis fornicem processuram
nee in similem fugam discursuram ; non nihil etiam
cum lupanari servierit, vindictae vobis depensuram.
Hanc ex animo quidem meo sententiam conducibilem
protuli, sed vos vestrorum estis consiliorum rerumque
domini."

10 Sic ille latronum fisci advocatus nostram causam
pertulerat, virginis et asini sospitator egregius ; sed in
312

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

her upon my back, and what horrid death was
ordained for us two. Then he asked where she was,
whereupon being brought to the place where the
gentlewoman was fast bound, whom as soon as he
beheld, he turned himself despising and wringing
his nose and blamed them, saying : " I am not so
much a beast or so rash a fellow that I would drive
you quite from your purpose; but my conscience
will not suffer me to conceal anything that toucheth
your profit, since I am careful for you ; therefore
give me your affiance, especially seeing that if my
counsel do displease you, you may at your own
liberty proceed again in your enterprise to the ass.
For I doubt not but all thieves, and such as have a
good judgement, will prefer their own lucre and gain
ibove all things in the world, and above their ven-
geance which may purchase damage both to them-
selves and to divers other persons. Therefore if
you put this virgin in the ass's belly, you shall but
execute your indignation against her without all
manner of profit : but I would advise you to carry
the virgin to some town and to sell her. And such
a brave girl as she is, and so young, may be sold for
a great quantity of money : and I myself know cer-
tain bawd merchants, amongst whom peradventure
some one will give us great sums of gold for her,
and will lay her in a brothel equal to her good birth,
when she shall not again run away : and so, as
bound in slavery to a bawdy-house, you shall have
vengeance enough of her. This is my true opinion
touching this affair ; but advise you what you intend
to do, for you may rule me in this case."

In this manner the good thief pleaded for the
thieves' treasury and defended our cause, being a
good patron to the hapless virgin and to me poor

313

LUCIUS APULEIUS

diutina deliberatione ceteri cruciantes mora consilii
mea praecordia, immo miserum spiritum, libentes
tandem novicii latronis accedunt sententiae et pro-
tinus vinculis exsolvunt virginem. Quae quidem
simul viderat ilium iuvenem, fornicisque et lenonis
audierat mentionem, coepit risu laetissimo gestire,
ut mihi merito subiret vituperatio totius sexus, cum
viderem puellam, proci iuvenis amore nuptiarumque
castarum desiderio simulate, lupanaris spurci sordidi-
que subito delectari nomine ; et tune quidem totarum
mulierum secta moresque de asini pendebant iudicio.
Sed ille iuvenis sermone repetito " Quin igitur/'
inquit " Supplicatum Marti comiti pergimus et
puellam simul vendituri et socios indagaturi ? Sed,
ut video, nullum uspiam pecus sacrificatui ae ne
vinum quidem potatui affatim vel sufficiens habemus.
Decem mihi itaque legate comites, quis contentus
proximum castellum petam, inde vobis epulas saliares
comparaturus." Sic eo profecto ceteri copiosum
instruunt ignem aramque caespite virenti Marti deo
faciunt.

11 Nee multo post adveniunt illi vinarios litres
ferentes et gregatim pecua comminantes : unde prae-
lectum grandem hircum, annosum et horricomem,
Marti secutori comitique victimant, et illico pran-
dium fabricatur opipare. Tune hospes ille " Non
modo " inquit " Expeditionum praedarumque, verum
etiam voluptatum vestrarum ducem me strenuum

3H

ass. But they stayed hereupon a good space with
long deliberation, which made my heart (God wot)
and spirit greatly to quail. Howbeit in the end they
consented freely to his opinion, and by and by the
maiden was unloosed of her bonds ; who, seeing the
young man, and hearing the name of brothels and
bawd merchants, began to wax joyful, and smiled
with herself. Then began I to deem evil of the
generation of women, when I saw that the maiden
(who had pretended that she had loved a young
gentleman, and that she so greatly desired her chaste
marriage with the same) was now delighted with
the talk of a wicked and filthy brothel-house and
other things dishonest. In this sort the consent
and manners of all the race of women depended in
the judgement of an ass. But then the young man
spoke again, saying : " Masters, why go we not about
to make our prayers to Mars touching this selling
of the maiden, and seeking for other companions ?
But as far as I see, here is no manner of beast to
make sacrifice withal nor wine sufficient for us to
drink. Let me have ten more with me, and we will
go to the next town, whence I will bring you back
a supper fit for a priest." So he and ten more with
him went their way, and in the mean season the
residue made a great fire and an altar with green
turfs in the honour of Mars.

By and by they came again, bringing with them
bottles of wine and a great number of beasts, amongst
which there was a big ram goat, fat, old, and hairy,
which they killed and offered unto Mars, to help and
be with them. Then supper was prepared sump-
tuously; and the new companion said unto the others :
" You ought to account me not only your captain in
robbery and fight, but also in your pleasures and

315

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sentire debetis," et aggressus insigni facilitate
naviter cuncta praeministrat. Verrit, sternit, coquit,
tucceta concinnat, apponit scitule, sed praecipue
poculis crebris grandibusque singulos ingurgitat.
Interdum tamen insimulatione promendi quae posce-
bat usus, ad puellam commeabat assidue, partesque
surreptas clanculo et praegustatas a se potiones
offerebat hilaris : at ilia sumebat appetenter, et non-
nunquara basiare volenti promptis saviolis allu-
bescebat. Quae res oppido mihi displicebat : " Hem
oblita es nuptiarum tuique mutui cupitoris, puelJa
virgo ? Et illi nesciocui recenti marito, quern tibi
parentes iunxerunt, hunc advenam cruentumque
percussorem praeponis ? Nee te conscientia stiraulat,
sed affectione calcata inter lanceas et gladios istos
scortari tibi libet ? Quid, si quo raodo latrones
ceteri persenserint ? Non rursum recurres ad asinum
et rursum exitium mihi parabis ? Re vera ludis de
alieno corio."

12 Dum ista sycophauta ego mecum maxima cum
indignatione dispute, de verbis eorum quibusdam
dubiis, sed non obscuris prudenti asino, cognosce
non Haemum ilium praedonem famosum sed Tlepo-
lemum sponsum puellae ipsius. Nam procedente ser-
mone paulo iam clarius, contempta mea praesentia
quasi vere mortui, "Bono animo es" inquit "Charite

316

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

jollity." Whereupon by and by with pleasant cheer
he prepared all things very cleverly ; and trimming
up the house he set the table in order and cooked
the meal, and brought the pottage and dainty dishes
to the table ; but above all, he plied them well with
great pots and jugs of wine. Sometimes (feigning
to fetch somewhat they required) he would go to
the maiden and give her pieces of meat which he had
privily taken away, and would give her cups of wine
whence he had already drunken, which she willingly
took in good part. Moreover, he kissed her twice or
thrice, whereof she was well pleased, and would
gladly kiss him in return again ; but I (not well
content thereat) thought in myself: " O wretched
maid, hast thou forgotten thy marriage, and thy
lover whom thou didst love, thou a virgin maid, and
dost esteem this stranger and bloody thief above thy
dear husband which thy parents ordained for thee ?
Now perceive I well thou hast no remorse of con-
science, but more delight to do utterly away with
thy love and play the harlot here amongst so many
weapons and swords. What, knowest thou not how
the other thieves, if they knew thy demeanour, would
put thee back to the ass's death as they had once
appointed, and so work my destruction likewise ?
Well do now I perceive that thou dost take pleasure
and sport at the risk of another's hide."

WThile I did devise with myself all these things
with an orator's indignation, I perceived by certain
signs and tokens (which were doubtful but yet not
ignorant to so wise an ass) that he was not the
notable thief Haemus, but rather Tlepolemus her
husband. For after much communication he began
to speak more openly, not fearing any more my
presence than if I were dead, and said : " Be of

LUCIUS APULEIUS

dulcissima, nam totos istos hostes tuos statim captives
habebis," et instantia validipre vinum iam inmixtum,
sed modico tepefactum vapore, sauciis illis et crapula
vinolentiaque madidis ipse abstemius non cessat im-
pingere. Et Hercule suspicionem mihi fecit, quasi
soporiferum quoddam venenum cantharis immisceret
illis. Cuncti deuique sed prorsus omnes vino sepulti
iacebant, omues pares mortuis. Tune nullo negbtio
artissimis vinculis impeditis ac pro arbitrio suo
constrictis illis, imposita dorso raeo puella, dirigit
gressum ad suam patriam.

13 Quam simul accessimus, tota civitas ad votivurn
conspectum effunditur. Procurrunt parentes, affines,
clientes, alumni, famuli, laeti faciem, gaudio delibuti :
pompam cerneres omnis sexus et omnis aetatis no-
vurnque et Hercule memorandum spectamen, vir-
ginem asino triumphantem. Denique ipse etiam
hilarior pro virili parte ne praesenti negotio ut
alienus discreparem, porrectis auribus proflatisque
naribus rudivi fortiter, immo tonanti clamore per-
sonui. Et illam thalamo receptam commode parentes
sui fovebant, me vero cum ingenti iumentorum
civiumque multitudine confestim retro Tlepolemus
agebat 11011 invitum, nam et alias curiosus et tune

318

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII
good cheer, my sweet friend Charite, for thou shalt
have ^by and by all these thy enemies captive unto
thee." Then he filled wine to the thieves more and
more, mixed with no water, but a little wanned, and
never ceased till they were all overcome and soaked
with abundance of drink, whereas he himself ab-
stained and bridled his own appetite : and truly, I
did greatly suspect that he had mingled in their
cups some deadly poison, for incontinently they all
fell down asleep on the ground one after another,
drowned and overcome by the wine, and lay as
though they had been dead. Then did he very
easily tie them all in chains and bind them as he
would, and he took the maiden and set her upon
my back and went homeward.

Now when we were near come home, all the people
of the city (especially her parents and kinsmen,
friends and family and servants) came running forth
joyfully ; and all they of the town of every age and
sex gathered together to see this new sight and
strange, a virgin in great triumph sitting upon an
ass.1 Then I (not willing to show less joy than the
rest, as far as I might as present occasion served) set
and pricked up my long ears, blew out my nostrils,
and cried stoutly ; nay rather I made the town to
ring again with my shrilling sound. When we were
come to her father's house she was received into a
chamber honourably, and her parents tended her
well ; as for me, Tlepolemus, with a great number of
other citizens, did drive me back again with other
horses to the cave of the thieves, and I was not very

1 It has been supposed, perhaps without very much reason,
that Apuleius intended this to be a parody of our Saviour's
Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem. See note on Book IX.
ch. 14.

319

LUCIUS APULEIUS

latronum captivitatis spectator optabam fieri. Quos
quidem colligates adhuc vino magis quam vinculis
deprehendiraus : totis ergo prolatis ertitisque rebus
et nobis auro argentoque et ceteris onustis, ipsos
partim constrictos, uti fuerant, provolutosque in
proximas rupinas praecipites dedere, alios vero suis
sibi gladiis obtruncates reliquere.

Tali vindicta laeti et gaudentes civitatem reveni-
mus : et illas quidem divitias publicae custodelae
commisere, Tlepolemo puellam repetitam lege tradi-
1 4 dere. Exin me suum sospitatorem nuncupatum
matrona prolixe curitabat, ipsoque nuptiarum die
praesepium meum hordeo passim repleri iubet
faenumque camelo Bactrinae sufficiens apponi. Sed
rjuas ego condignas Fotidi diras devotiones imprecer,
quae me formavit non canem sed asinum, quippe
cum viderem largissimae cenae reliquiis rapinisque
canes omnes inescatos atque distentos ! Post noctem
unicam et rudimenta Veneris recens nupta gratias
summas apud suos parentes acmaritummihi meminisse
non destitit, quoad summos illi promitterent honores
habituri mihi. Convocatis denique gravioribus amicis
consilium datur, quo potissimum pacto digne remu-
nerarer. Placuerat uni domi me couclusum et otiosum

320

unwilling, for I much desired to be present to see
the taking of them. There we found them all asleep,
lying on the ground as we left them, overcome
rather by wine than by bonds : and then they first
brought out all the gold and silver and other trea-
sures of the house and laded us withal : which when
they had done, they threw many of the thieves down
into the bottom of deep cliffs hard by, and the
residue they slew with their own swords.

After this we returned home glad and merry of so
great vengeance upon them, and the riches which we
carried was committed to the public treasury, and
this done the maid was married to Tlepolemus,
according to the law, whom by so much travail he
had valiantly recovered. Then my good mistress
looked about for me, calling me her saviour and
deliverer, and asking for me, commanded, the very
same day as her marriage, that my manger should
be filled with barley, and that I should have hay and
oats abundantly, as much as would be enough for a
camel of Bactria. But how greatly and worthily did
I curse Fotis in that she had transformed me into an
ass, and not into a dog, because I saw the dogs had
filled their paunches to bursting with the relics and
bones of so worthy a supper as they had. The next
day, after that best of nights and her learning of
the secrets of Venus, this new wedded woman (my
mistress) did not forget to commend me before her
parents and husband for the kindness I had shewed
unto her, and never left off until such time as they
promised to reward me with great honours. Then
they called together all their friends of more dignity,
to resolve in what manner it were most worthy to
reward me ; and thus it was concluded : one said
that I should be closed in a stable and never work,

LUCIUS APULEIUS

hordeo lecto fabaque et vicia saginari : sed obtinuit
alius qui meae libertati prospexerat, suadens ut rure-
stribus potius campis in greges equinos lasciviens
discurrerem, daturus dominis equarum inscensu
15 generoso multas mulas alumnas. Ergo igitur evocato
statim armentario equisone magna cum praefatione
deducendus assignor : pt sane gaudens laetusque prae-
currebam, sarcinis et ceteris oneribus iam nunc re-
nuntiaturus, nanctaque libertate veris initio pratis
herbantibus rosas utique reperturus aliquas. Subibat
me tamen ilia etiam seqtiens cogitatio, quod tantis
actis gratiis honoribusque plurimis asino meo tributis.
humana facie recepta, multo tanto pluribus beneficiis
honestarer. Sed ubi me procul a civitate gregarius
ille perduxerat, nullae deliciae ac ne ulla quidem
libertas excipit. Nam protinus uxor eius avara
equidem nequissimaque ilia mulier molae machinariae
subiugum me dedit, frondosoque baculo subinde
castigans, panem sibi suisque de meo parabat
oorio. Nee tantum sui cibi gratia me fatigare con-
tenta, vicinorum etiam frumenta mercenariis discur-
sibus meis conterebat. Nee mihi misero statuta saltern
cibaria pro tantis praestabantur laboribus : namque
hordeum meum frictum et sub eadem mola meis quas-
satum ambagrbus colonis proximis venditabat, mihi
vero per diem laboriosae machinae attento sub ipsa

322

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

but continually be fed and fatted with fine and
chosen barley and beans and vetch ; howbeit
another prevailed, who wished my liberty, for me
to run lasciviously in the fields amongst the horses,
whereby I might engender upon the mares some stout
mules for my mistress. Therefore the groom that
kept the horses was called for, and I was delivered
unto him with great care, in so much that I ran
before him right pleasant and joyous, because 1
hoped that I should cany no more fardels 01
burdens : moreover I thought that when I should
thus be at liberty, in the springtime of the year,
when the meadows and fields were green, I should
find some roses in some place ; after which it came
into my mind that if my master and mistress did
render to me so many thanks and honours being
an ass, they would much more reward me being
turned into a man. But when he (to whom the
charge of me was so straitly committed) had brought
me a good way distant from the city I perceived no
delicate meats nor any liberty which I should
have, but by and by his covetous wife and most
cursed quean made me a mill ass, and (beating
me with a cudgel with many twigs) would wring
bread for herself and her household out of my skin.
Yet was she not contented to weary me and make
me a drudge with carriage and grinding of her own
corn, but she made me to grind for her neighbours
and so earned more gain by my toil : nor would she
give me such meat as it was ordained that I should
have, for all my miserable labours, for my own
barley which I ground in that same mill by my
own goings about she would sell to the inhabi-
tants by, and after that I had laboured all day upon
this engine of toil, she would set before me at night

MM

LUCIUS APULEIUS

vespera furfures apponebat incretos ac sordidos, mul-
toque lapide salebrosos.
16 Talibus aerumnis edomitum novis Fortuna saeva
tradidit cruciatibus, scilicet ut, quod aiunt, domi
forisque fortibus factis adoriae plenae gloriarer.
Equinis armentis namque me congregem pastor
egregius mandati dominici serus auscultator aliquando
permisit : at ego tandem liber asinus, laetus et tripu-
dians graduque molli gestiens equas opportunissimas
iam mihi concubinas futuras deligebam. Sed haec
etiam spes hilarior in capitale processit exitium
mares enim ob admissariam Venerem l pasti satianter
ac diu saginati, terribiles alioquin et utique quovis
asino fortiores, de me metuentes sibi et adulterio
degeneri praecaventes, nee hospitalis lovis servato
foedere rivalem summo furentes persequuntur odio :
hie, elatis in altum vastis pectoribus, arduus capite et
sublimis vertice primoribus in me pugillatur ungulis,

ille terga pulposis torulis obesa convertens postremis
velitatur calcibus, alius hinnitu maligno comminatus,
remulsis auribus dentiumque candentium renudatis
asceis, totum me commorsicat. Sic apud historiam
de rege Thracio legeram, qui miseros hospites ferinis
equis suis lacerandos devorandosque porrigebat : adeo
ille praepotens tyrannus sic parcus hordei fuit, ut
edacium iumentorum famem corporum humanorum
largitione sedaret.

l This ia Oudendorp's suggestion for the MSS' admissuram
veterem.

324

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK Vll

a little filthy bran, nothing clean but caked together
and full of stones.

Being crushed down by this calamity, yet cruel
fortune worked me other new torments, so that (as
they say) I might verily boast of a full reward for all
my brave deeds done at home and abroad : for on a
day I was let loose into the fields to pasture with the
herds of horses by commandment of my master, who
so did at last obey his lord's bidding. O how I
leaped for joy, how I brayed to see myself in such
liberty, but especially since I beheld so many mares,
which I thought should be my easy wives and con-
cubines ! But this my joyful hope turned into utter
destruction, for incontinently all the stallion horses,
which were well fed and made strong for their duty
by ease of pasture, terrible in any case and much
more puissant than a poor ass, were jealous over
me, and feared for the cuckolding of their race by
a weakling, and (not having regard to the law and
order of the hospitable god Jupiter) ran fiercely and
terribly against me their rival ; one reared up his
broad chest and high head, and lifted up his fore
feet and kicked me spitefully, another turned to
me his strong and brawny back, and with his hinder
heels spurned me cruelly, the third threatening
with a malicious neighing dressed his ears, and
shewing his sharp and white teeth bit me on every
side. In like sort have I read in histories how before
the king of Thrace l would throw his miserable
guests to be torn in pieces and devoured of his wild
horses ; so niggish was that tyrant of his provender
that he nourished his hungry and starveling beasts
with the bodies of men.

1 Diomede, king of the Bistones in Thrace. His final
destruction was one of the twel?« labours of Hercules.

325

LUCIUS A PULEIUS

Ad eundem rnodum distractus et ipse variis eqiio-
vum incursibus, rursus molares illos circuitus require-
jam. Verum Fortuna meis cruciatibus insatiabilis
al;am mihi denuo pestem instruxit : delegor enim
Kgno monte devehundo, puerque mihi praefectus
jmponitur, omnibus ille quidem deterrimus. Nee me
mentis excelsi tantum arduum fatigabat iuguin, nee
saxeas tantum sudes incursando contribam ungulas,
verum fustium quoque crebris ictibus prolixe dedola-
bar, ut usque plagarum mihi medullaris insideret
dolor ; coxaeque dexterae semper ictus incutiens et
unum feriendo locum dissipato corio et ulceris latis
sinii facto foramine, immo fovea vel etiam fenestra,
nullus tamen desinebat identidem vulnus sanguine
delibutum obtundere. Lignorum vero tanto me
premebat pondere, ut fascium molem elephanto, non
asino paratam putares : ille vero etiam quotiens in
alteruin latus praeponderans declinarat sarcina, cum
deberet potius gravantis ruinae fustes demere et
levata paulisper pressura sanare me, vel certe in
alterum latus translatis peraequare, contra, lapidibus
additis insuper, sic iniquitati ponderis medebatur.
Nee tamen post tantas meas clades immodico sar-
cinae pondere contentus, cum fluvium transcende-
remus, qui forte praeter viam defluebat, peronibus
suis ab aquae madore consulens ipse quoque insuper
lumbos meos insiliens residebat, exiguum scilicet et
jllud tantae molis superpondium : ac si quo casu limo
caenoso ripae supercilio lubricante oneris impatientia

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

After the same manner 1 was cruelly handled by
the horses, so that I longed for the mill again
whereby I went round and round ; but behold
fortune (insatiable of my torments) had devised a
new pain for me. I was appointed to bring home
wood every clay from a high hill, and who should
drive me thither and home again but a boy that was
the veriest hangman in all the world : he was not
contented with the great travail I took in climbing
up the steep hill, neither that my hoofs were torn
and worn away by sharp flints, but he beat me
cruelly and very often with a great staff, in so much
that the marrow of my bones did ache for woe ; for
he would strike me continually in rny right hip and
still in one place, whereby he tare my skin and made
of my wide sore a great hole or trench, or rather a
window to look out at, and although it ran down of
blood, yet would he not cease beating me in that
place. Moreover he laded me with such great
trusses and burdens of wood that you would think
they had rather been prepared for elephants than
for an ass, and when he perceived that my wood
hanged more of one side than another (when he
should rather take away the heavy sides and so ease
me, or else lift them up a little, or at least put them
over to make them equal with the other) he laid
great stones upon the lighter side to remedy the
matter. Yet could he not be contented with this
my great misery and immoderate burdens of wood,
but when we came to any river by the way, he, to
save his boots from water, would leap upon my loins
likewise, which was no small load upon load. And
if by adventure I had fallen down in any dirty or
miry place by the water-side, on the slippery bank,
under that load too great for me to bear, when he

327

LUCIUS APULEIUS

prolapsus deruissem, cum deberet egregius agaso
manum porrigere, capistro suspendere, cauda sub-
levare, certe partem tanti oneris, quoad resurgerem
saltern, detrahere, nullum quidem defesso mihi fere-
bat auxilium, sed occipiens a capite, immo vero et
ipsis auribus, totum me compilabat, ceciditque a fusti
grandissimo, donee foment! vice ipsae me plagae sus-
citarent. Idem mihi talem etiam excogitavit perni-
ciem : spinas acerrumas et punctu venenato viriosas
in fascem tortili nodo constrictas caudae meae pen-
silem deligavit cruciatum, ut incessu meo commotae
incitataeque funestis aculeis infeste me convulnera-
19 rent. Ego igitur ancipiti malo laborabam : nam cum
me cursu proripueram fugiens acerbissimos incursus,
vehementiore nisu spinarum feriebar ; si dolori par-
cens paululum restitissem, plagis compellebar ad
cursum. Nee quicquam videbatur aliud exCogitare
puer ille nequissimus quam ut me quoquo modo per-
ditum iret, idque iurans etiam nonnunquam commina-
batur. Et plane fuit quod eius detestabilem mali-
tiam ad peiores conatus stimularet : nam quadam
die, nimia eius insolentia expugnata patientia mea,
calces in eum validas extuleram. Denique tale faci-
nus in me comminiscitur : stuppae sarincae me satis
onustum probeque funiculis constrictum producit in
viam deque proxima villula spirantem carbunculum
furatus, oneris in ipso meditullio reponit. lamque
fomento tenui calescens et enutritus ignis surgebat
in flammas et totum me funestus ardor invaserat, nee

l After compilabat the MSS have cidit, which is no word
and does not make sense. Ceciditque will construe, though
the sudden change from imperfect to perfect is awkward.

328

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

should have lent a hand to pull me out, or lifted
me out by the bridle or by my tail, or taken off
some of my load so that I might be able to rise,
he would never help me, but laid me on from
top to toe, yea, from my very ears, with a mighty
staff, whereby I was compelled by force of the
blows, as by a medicine, to stand up. The same
hangman boy did invent another torment for me :
he gathered a great many sharp thorns, as sharp
as needles and of most poisonous prick, and bound
them with knots into a bundle which he tied
at my tail to prick me, so that as I walked they
would swing against me and wound me sorely with
their accursed spikes. Then was I afflicted on either
side ; for when I endeavoured to run away from
his bitter onslaughts the thorns pi'icked me more
vehemently, and if I stood still to rest from the pain
the boy beat me until I ran again, whereby I per-
ceived that the hangman did devise nothing else
save to kill me by some manner of means, and
even so he would often swear and threaten to do.
And in truth there was some occasion to stir his
malicious mind into worse attempts ; for upon a day
(after my patience had been altogether overcome by
his wickedness) I lifted up my heels and spurned
him well-favouredly. Then he invented this ven-
geance against me : after he had well laded me with
tow and flax, and had trussed it round safely with
ropes upon my back, he brought me out into the
way : then he stole a burning coal out of a man s
house of the next village and put it into the middle
of the load, and soon the fire caught and increased
in the dry and light matter and burst into flames,
and the fierce heat thereof did burn me on every
side ; and I could see no remedy for my utter

829

ullum pestis extremae suffugium nee salutis aliquod
apparet solacium, et ustrina tales moras non sus-

20 tinens et meliora consilia praevertitur Sed in rebus
scaevis afFulsit Fortunae nutus hilarior, nescio an
futuris periculis me reservans, certe praesente statu-
taque morte liberans : nam forte pluviae pridianae
recens conceptaculum aquae lutulentae proximum
conspicatus, ibi memet improvido saltu totum abicio,
flammaque prorsus extincta, tandem et pondere leva-
tus et exitio liberatus evado. Sed ille deterrimus ac
temerarius ptier hoc quoque suum nequissimum fac-
tum in me retorsit, gregariisque omnibus affirmavit
me sponte vicinorum foculos transeuntem, titubanti
gradu prolapsum, ignem ultroneum accersisse mihi,
et arridens addidit : " Quousque ergo frustra pasce-
mus igninum istum ? "

Nee multis interiectis diebus longe peioribus me
dolis petivit. Ligno enim quod gerebam in proxi-
mam casulam vendito vacuum me ducens, iam se
nequitiae meae proclamans imparem miserrimumque
istud magisterium renuens, querelas huiusmodi con-

21 cinnat: " Videtis istum pigrum tardissimumque et
nimis asinum ? me praeter cetera flagitia nunc nouis
periculis etiam angit : ut quemque enim viatorem
prospexerit, sive ilia scitula mulier sen virgo nubilis
seu tener puellus est, illico disturbato gestamine,
nonnunquam etiam ipsis stramentis abiectis, fur ens
incurrit et homines amator talis appetit, et humi pro-
stratis illis inhians illicitas atque incognitas temptat
libidines et ferinas 1 aversa Venere invitat ad nuptias.
Nam imaginem etiam savii mentiendo ore improbo

I After ferinas the MSS have voluptates. This will not
construe, and seems like a gloss on libidines or ferinas nuptias
which has crept into the text.

330

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK Vlt

destruction, nor how I might save myself, and iri
such a burning it was not possible for me to stand
still, and there was no time to advise l:ett -r ; but
fortune was favourable towards me in my misf >rtune,
perhaps to reserve me for more dangers ; at least
she saved me from the present death thus devised,
for I espied a great hole full of muddy rain-water
that fell the day before ; thither I ran hastily and
plunged myself therein, in such sort that I quenched
the fire and was delivered both from my load and
from that peril. But the vile boy turned even this
his most wicked deed upon me, and declared to all
the shepherds about that I willingly leaped over a
fire of the neighbours and tumbled in it and set
myself afire. Then he laughed upon me, saying :
" How long shall we keep this fiery ass in vain ? "

A few days after, this boy invented another mis-
chief much worse than the former : for when he had
sold all the wood which I bare to certain men dwell-
ing in a village by, he led me homeward unladm.
And then he cried that he was not able to rule me,
for that he was unequal to my naughtiness, and that
he would not drive me to the hill any longer for
wood, saying: "Do you see this slow and dull beast,
too much an ass? Now, besides all the mischiefs
that he hath wrought already, he inventeth daily
more and more. For when he espieth any passing
by the way, whether it be a fair woman or a maid
ready for marriage, or a young boy, he will throw his
burden from his back, yea, and often break his very
girths, and runneth fiercely upon them. And after
that he hath thrown them down, he will stride over
them to take his beastly pleasure upon them. More-
over, he will feign as though he would kiss them with
his great and wicked mouth, but he will bite their

831

LUCIUS APULEIUS

compulsat ac morsicat. Quae res nobis non medio-
cres lites atque iurgia, immo forsitan et crimina
pariet. Nunc etiam visa quadam honesta iuvene,
ligno quod devehebat abiecto dispersoque, in earn
furiosos direxit impetus, et festivus hie amasio humo
sordida prostratam mulierem ibidem incoram omnium
gestiebat inscendere. Quod nisi ploratu questuque
femineo conclamatum viatorum praesidium accurris-
set ac de mediis ungulis ipsius esset erepta libera-
taque, misera ilia compavita atque dirupta ipsa
quidem cruciabilem cladem sustinuisset, nobis vero
poenale reliquisset exitium."

22 Talibus mendaciis admiscendo sermones alios, qui
meum verecundum silentium vehementius premerent,
anirnos pastorum in meam perniciem atrociter susci-
tavit. Denique unus ex illis : " Quin igitur publicum
istum maritum/' inquit " Immo communem omnium
adulterum illis suis monstruosis nuptiis condignam
victimamus hostiam ? " et "Heus tu, puer," ait " Ob-
truncato protinus eo intestina quidem canibus nostris
iacta, ceteram vero carnem omnem operariorum cenae
reserva. Nam corium affirmatum cineris inspersu do-
minis referemus eiusque mortem de lupo facile men-
tiemur." Sublata cunctatione accusator ille meus
noxius, ipse etiam pastoralis exsecutor sententiae,
laetus et meis insultans malis calcisque illius admoni-
tus, quam inefficacem fuisse mehercules doleo, pro-

23 tinus gladium cotis attritu parabat. Sed quidam de
coetu illo rusticorum " Nef'as " ait " Tarn bellum
asinum sic enecare et propter luxuriem lasciviamque,
amatoria protinus J opera, servitioque tarn necessario
carere, cum alioquin exsectis genitalibus possit neque

1 There is a gap in the best MS between amatoria and opera,
into which a later hand has written criminatus. Protinus,
suggested both by Leo and Plasberg, makes good seuse.

332

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

faces cruelly, which thing may work us great dis-
pleasure, or rather be imputed unto us as a crime ;
and even now, when he espied an honest maiden
passing by the highway, he by and by threw down his
wood in a heap and ran after her; and when this
jolly lover had thrown her upon the ground, he would
have ravished her before the face of all the world,
had it not been that by reason of her crying out with
shrieks and loud lamentations, she was succoured of
those that passed by, and pulled from his heels and
so delivered. And if it had so come to pass that this
fearful maiden had been slain by him by a painful
death, what danger had we not been in ? "

By these and like lies, he provoked the shepherds
earnestly to my destruction, which grieved me (God
wot) full sore that I could say nothing to defend my
chastity. Then one of the shepherds said : " Why
do we not make sacrifice of this common adulterous
ass as his horrid doings deserve ? My son," quoth
ne, " Let us kill him and throw his guts to the dogs,
and reserve his flesh for the labourers' supper. Then
let us cast dust upon his skin, and carry it home to
our master, and easily feign that the wolves have
devoured him." The boy that was my evil accuser
made no delay, but prepared himself to execute the
sentence of the shepherd, rejoicing at my present
danger, and thinking upon the kick which I gave
him ; but oh how greatly did I then repent that the
stripe of my heel had not killed him ! Then he drew
out his sword, and made it sharp upon a whetstone to
slay me, but another of the shepherds began to say :
" Verily it is a great offence to kill so fair an ass, and
so (by accusation of luxury and lascivious wantonness)
to lack so necessary his labour and service, where
otherwise if you would cut off his stones, he might

333

LUCIUS APULEIUS

in Venereni ullo modo surgere vosque omni metu
periculi liberate, insuper etiam longe crassior atque
corpulentior effici. Multos ego scio iion modo asinos
inertes, verurn etiam ferocissimos equos, nivnio libi-
dinis laborantes atque ob id truces vesanosque, ad-
hibita tali detestatione mansuetos ac mansues exinde
factos, et oneri ferundo non inhabiles et cetero minis-
terio patientes. Denique, nisi vobis suadeo nolentibus,
possum spatio modico interiecto, quo mercatum proxi-
mum obire statui, petitis e domo ferramentis huic
curae praeparatis, ad vos actutum redire trucemque
amatorem istum atque insuavem dissitis femoribus
emasculare et quovis vervece mitiorem efficere."
24 Tali sententia mediis Orci manibus extractus, sed
extremae poenae reservatus, maerebam et in novis-
sima parte corporis totum me periturum deflebam.
Inedia denique continua vel praecipiti ruina memet
ipse quaerebam extinguere, moriturus quidem nihilo-
minus sed moriturus integer. Dumque in ista necis
nieae decunctor electione, matutino me rursum puer
ille peremptor meus contra montis suetum ducit
vestigium. lamque me de cuiusdam vastissimae
ilicis ramo pendulo destinato, paululum viam super-
gressus ipse securi lignum quod deveheret recidebat,
et ecce de proximo specu vastum attollens caput
funesta proserpit ursa. Quam simul conspexi,
pavidus et repentina facie conterritus totum corporis
pondus in postremos poplites recello, arduaque cer-
vice sublimiter elevata, lorum, quo tenebar, rumpo,
3S4

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

not only be deprived of his lust, but also become
gentle, and that we should be delivered from all fear
of danger. Moreover, he would be thereby more fat
and better in flesh. For I know myself as well many
slow asses, as also most fierce horses, that by reason
of their wantonness have been most mad and terrible,
but (when they were gelded and cut) they have be-
come very gentle and tame, and tractable both to
bearing burdens and to all other use. Wherefore I
would counsel you to geld him ; and if you consent
thereto, I will by and by, when I have gone to the
next market, fetch from my house mine irons and
tools for the purpose : and I will thence immediately
return, and I assure you that after I have gelded and
cut off his stones, I will deliver this fierce and rude
lover unto you as tame as a lamb."

When I did perceive that I was delivered from
death, but reserved for the pain of gelding, I wept
that with the hinder part of my body I should
perish altogether, but I sought about to kill myself
by some manner of means, whether by fasting con-
tinually or by throwing myself down some crag or
precipice, to the end if I should die, I would die
with unperished members : and while I devised with
myself in what manner I might end my life, the
rope-ripe boy my destroyer on the next morrow led
me to the hill again, and tied me to a bough of a
great oak, and in the mean season he took his
hatchet and went a little way up and cut wood to
load me withal. But behold there crept out of a
cave by a marvellous great bear holding out his
mighty head; whom when I saw, I was suddenly
stricken in fear with the sudden sight and (throwing
all the strength of my body into my hinder heels)
lifted Lup my strained head and broke the halter

333

LUCIUS APULEIUS

meque protinus pernici fugae committo, perque
prona, non tantum pedibus verum etiam toto pro-
iecto corpora propere devolutus immitto me campis
subpatentibus, ex1 summo studio fugiens immanem
ursam ursaque peiorem ilium puerum.
25 Tune quidam viator solitarium vagumque me
respiciens invadit et properiter inscensum baculo
quod gerebat obverberans per obliquam ignaramque
me ducebat viam. Nee invitus ego cursui me com-
modabam relinquens atrocissimam virilitatis lanienam;
ceterum plagis non magnopere commovebar, quippe
consuetus ex forma concidi fustibus. Sed ilia For-
tuna meis casibus pervicax tarn opportunum latibulum
misera celeritate praeversa novas instruxit insidias :
pastores enim mei perditam sibi requirentes vacculam
variasque regiones peragrantes occurrunt nobis
fortuito, statimque me cognitum capistro prehensum
attrahere gestiunt. Sed audacia valida resistens ille
fidem hominum deumque testabatur : " Quid me
raptatis ? Violenter quid invaditis ? " " Ain, te nos
tractamus inciviliter, qui nostrum asinum furatus
abducis ? Quin potius effaris ubi puerum eiusdem
agasonem, necatum scilicet, occultaris ? " : et illico
detractus ad terram pugnisque pulsatus et calcibus
contusus infit deierans nullum semet vidisse ductorem,

1 One MS has et ; another (the best) a gap before summo.
Colvin's ex seems satisfactory,

336

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK Vtt
wherewith I was tied. Then there was no need to
bid me run away, for I scoured not only on foot, but
tumbled over the stones and rocks with my body,
till I came into the open fields beneath, to "the in-
tent I would escape away from the terrible bear,
but especially from the boy that was worse than the
bear.

Then a certain stranger that passed by the wav
(espying me alone as a stray ass) took me up quickly
and rode upon my back, beating me with a staff
which he bare in his hand through a blind and un-
known lane : whereat I was little displeased, but
willingly went forward to avoid the cruel pain of
gelding which the shepherds had ordained for me,
but as for the stripes I was nothing moved, since I
was accustomed to be beaten so every day. But for-
tune, ever bent on my ruin, would not suffer me to
continue in such estate long, but with wondrous
quickness undid my timely escape and set a new
snare for me : for the shepherds (looking about for
a cow that they had lost), after they had sought in
divers places, fortuned to come upon us unawares;
who when they espied and knew me, they would
have taken me by the halter, but he that rode upon
my back valiantly resisted them, saying : " Good
Lord, masters, what intend you to do ? Will you rob
me ? " Then said the shepherds : " What, thinkest
thou that we handle thee otherwise than thou
deservest, which art stealing away our ass? Why
dost thou not rather tell us where thou hast hidden
the boy that led him, whom thou hast doubtless
slain ? " And therewithal they pulled him down to
the ground, beating him with their fists and spurning
him with their feet. Then he sware unto them saying
that he saw no manner of boy, but only found the ass
Y 337

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sed plane continuatum solutum et solitarium ob indi-
civae praemium occupasse, domino tameii suo resti-
tuturum. " Atque utinam ipse asinus/' inquit
" Quern nunquam profecto vidissem, vocem quiret
humanam dare meaeque testimonium innocentiae
perhibere posset ; profecto vos huius iniuriae pi-
geret."

Sic asseverans nihil quicquam promovebat : nam
collo constrictum reducunt eum pastores molesti con-
tra montis illius silvosa nemora,unde lignum puer sole-
26 bat egerere : nee uspiam ruris reperitur ille sed plane
corpus eius membratim laceratum multisque dis-
persum locis conspicitur. Quam rem procul dubio
sentiebam ego illius ursae dentibus esse perfectam et
Hercule dicerem quod sciebam, si loquendi copia
suppeditaret : sed quod solum poteram tacitus licet
serae vindictae gratulabar. Et cadaver quidem
disiectis partibus tandem totum repertum aegreque
concinnatum ibidem terrae dedere, meum vero
Bellerophontem, abactorem indubitatum cruentum-
que percussorem criminantes, ad casas interim suas
vinctum perducunt, quoad renascent! die sequenti
deductus ad magistratus, ut aiebant, poenae red-
deretur. Interim dum puerum ilium parentes sui
plangorlwus querebantur et adveniens ecce rusticus
nequaquam promissum suum frustratus destinatam
sectionem meam flagitat, " Non est " in his inquit
338

loose and straying abroad, which he took up to the
intent he might have some reward for the finding
of him, and to restore him again to his master. " And
I would to God," quoth he, " That this ass (which I
would verily I had never seen) could speak as a
man, to give witness of my innocence : then would
you be ashamed of the injury which you have done
to me."

Thus reasoning for himself, he nothing prevailed,
for those angry shepherds tied a rope about his neck
and led him back again through the trees of the hill
to the place where the boy accustomed to resort for
wood. And after that they could discover him in no
place, at length they found his body rent and torn
in pieces, and his members dispersed in divers places,
which I well knew was done by the cruel bear, and
verily I would have told it if I might have spoken ;
but (which I could only do) I greatly rejoiced at the
vengeance of his death, although it came too late.
Then they gathered the pieces of his body and
hardly joined them together and buried them, and
straightway they laid all the fault to him that was
my Bellerophon,1 charging him that it was he that
took me up by the way, and had assaulted and slain
the boy, and (bringing him home fast bound to their
houses) purposed on the next morrow to accuse him
of murder, and to lead him before the justices to
have judgement of death. In the mean season, while
the parents of the boy did lament and weep for the
death of their son, the shepherd (according to his
promise) came with his instruments and tools to geld
me, and then one of them said : " Tush, our present

1 By calling his rider Bellerophon (which Adlington merely
translated "my new master"), the ass implies that he was a
very Pegasus.

339

LUCIUS APULEIUS

unus " Indidem praesens iactura nostra, sed plane
crastino libet non tantum naturam, verum etiam
caput quoque ipsum pessimo isto asino demetere:
nee tibi ministerium deerit istorum."

Sic effectum est ut in alterum diem clades differ-
retur mea, at ego gratias agebam bono puero, quod
saltem mortuus unam carnificinae meae dieculam
donasset. Nee tamen tantillum saltem gratulationi
meae quietive spatium datum : nam mater pueri
mortem deplorans acerbam filii, fleta et lacrimosa
fuscaque veste contecta, ambabus manibus trahens
cinerosam canitiem, eiulans et exinde proclamans
stabulum irrumpit meum, tunsisque ac diverberatis
vehementer uberibus incipit : " Et nunc iste securus
incumbens praesepio voracitati suae deservit et
insatiabilem profundumque ventrem semper esitaiido
distendit, nee aerumnae meae miseretur vel detesta
bilem casum defuncti magistri recordatur, sed scilicet
senectam infirmitatemque meam contemnit ac de
spicit et impune se laturum tantum scelus credit
At utcumque se praesumit innocentem ; est enim
corigruens pessimis conatibus contra noxiam con
scientiam sperare securitatem. Nam pro deum
fidem, quadrupes nequissrme, licet precariam vocis
usuram sumeres, cui tandem vel ineptissimo per-
suadere possis atrocitatem istam culpa carere, cum
propugnare pedibus et arcere morsibus misello puero
potueiis ? An ipsum quidem saepius incursare calci-
bus potuisti, moriturum vero defendere alacritate
simili nequisti ? Certe dorso receptum auferres
protinus et infesti latronis cruentis manibus eriperes,

340

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII
mischief is not of his doing, but now we arc con-
tented that to-morrow not only this vile ass's stones
shall be cut off, but also his head, and you shall not
lack helpers."

So was it brought to pass that my death was
delayed till the next morrow ; but what thanks did I
give to that good boy who at least (being so slain) was
the cause of my pardon for one short day ! Howbeit I
had no time then to rest myself, for the mother of
the boy, weeping and lamenting for his cruel death,
attired in mourning vesture, tore her hair and threw
ashes upon it, and beat her breast, crying and howling
very bitterly, and came presently into the stable,
saying : " Is it reason that this careless beast should
do nothing all day but hold his head in the manger,
filling and boiling his guts with meat, without com-
passion.of my great misery or remembrance of his
slain master? Surely, contemning my age and in-
firmity, he thinketh that I am unable to revenge his
great mischiefs. Moreover he would persuade me
that he were not culpable ; indeed it agreeth with
the manner of malefactors to hope for safety, even
when as the conscience doth confess the offence :
but, O good Lord, thou cursed beast, if thou couldest
for the nonce utter the contents of thine own mind,
whom (if he were the veriest fool in all the world)
mightest thou persuade that this murder was void or
without thy fault, when it lay in thy power either
to keep off' the thieves from this poor boy with thy
heels or else to bite and tear them with thy teeth ?
Couldest not thou (that so oft in his lifetime didst
spurn and kick him) defend him now from his
death by like means? Yet at least thou shouldest
have taken him upon thy back, and so brought him
from the cruel hands of thieves, where contrary

LUCIUS APULEIUS

postremum deserto deiectoque illo conserve magistro
comite pastore non solus aufugeres. An ignoras eos
etiam, qui morituris auxilium salutare denegarint,
quod contra bonos mores id ipsum fecerint, solere
puniri ? Sed non diutius meis cladibus laetaberis,
homicida : senties, efficiam, misero dolori naturales
28 vires adesse." Et cum dicto subsertis manibus ex-
solvit suam sibi fasciam pedesque meos singillatim
illigans indidem constringit artissime, scilicet ne
quod vindictae meae superesset praesidium, et
pertica, qua stabuli fores offirmari solebant, abrepta
non prius me desiit obtundere quam victis fessisque
viribus, suopte pondere degravatus manibus eius
fustis esset elapsus. Tune de brachiorum suorum
cita fatigatione conquesta, procurrit ad focum, arden-
temque titionem gerens mediis inguinibus obtrudit,
donee, solo quod restabat nisus praesidio, liquida
fimo strictim egesta faciem atque oculos eius con-
foedassem. Qua caecitate atque faetore tandem
fugata est a me pernicies : ceterum titione delirantis
Altheae Meleager asinus interissem.

l Ovid, Metamorphoses, Vlii. 451 :

"There was a certain firebrand which, when Oeneus' wife

did lie

In childbed of Meleager, she chanced to espy
The Destinies putting in the fire : and, in the putting in,
She heard them speak these words, as they his fatal

thread did spin ;
342

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VII

thou rannest away alone, having forsaken and cast
down thy fellow-servant, thy good master, thy pastor
and conductor. Knowest thou not that even such as
deny their wholesome help and aid to them which
are in danger of death, are wont to be punished
because they have offended against good manners
and the law natural T But I promise thee that thou
shalt not long rejoice at my harms, thou murderer ;
I will ensure thee thou shalt feel the smart of my
grief, and I will see what nature can do." There-
withal she unloosed her apron, and bound all my feet
together to the end I might not help myself in my
punishment : then she took a great bar which accus-
tomed to bar the stable door, and never ceased beat-
ing of me till she was so exceeding weary and tired
that the bar fell out of her hands : whereupon she
(complaining of the soon faintness of her arms) ran
to the fire and brought a glowing firebrand and thrust
it under my tail, burning me continually till such time
as (having but one remedy) I all bewrayed her face
and eyes with my dirty dung ; whereby, what witli
the stink thereof, and what with the filthiness that
fell in her eyes, she was well nigh blind, and so I
enforced the quean to leave off; otherwise I had
died as an ass as Meleager did by the stick, which
his mad mother Althea1 cast into the fire.

4 0 lately born, like time we give to thee and to this .
brand * :

And when they so had spoken, they departed out of hand.

Immediately the mother caught the blazing bough aw:iy

And quenched it. This bough she kept full charily many
a day:

And in the keeping of the same she kept her son alive."
But when she heard that Meleager had killed her brothers as
the result of a quarrel about the spoils of the Calydonian
boar, she threw the brand on the fire, thus causing his death.

848

LIBER VIII

1 NOCTIS gallicinio venit quidam iuvenis e proxuma
dvitate, ut quidem mihi videbatur unus ex famulis
Charites, puellae illius quae mecum apud latrones
pares aerumnas exanclaverat. Is de eius exitio et
domus totius infortunio mira ac nefanda,ignem propter
assidens, inter conservorum frequentiam sic annun-
tiabat: "Equisones opilionesque, etiam busequae,
fuit Charite nobis, quae misella et quidem casu gravis-
simo, nee vero incomituta Manes adivit. Sed ut cuncta
noritis, referam vobis a capite quae gesta sunt, quae-
que possent merito doctiores, quibus stilos For tuna
subministrat, in historiae specimen chartis involvere.

"Erat in proxuma civitate iuvenis natalibus praeno-
bilis, quo clarus co pecuniae fuit satis locuples sed
Urxuriae popinalis, scortisque et diurnis potationibus
exercitatus, atque ob id factionibus latronum male
sociatus, necnon etiam manus infectus humanocruore,
Thrasyllus nomine : idque sic erat et fama dicebat.

2 Hie cum primum Charite nubendo maturuisset, inter
praecipuos procos summo studio petitionis eius munus

344

BOOK VIII

ABOUT the cockcrow of night came a young man
from the next city, which seemed to be one of the
family of the good woman Charite which sometime
endured so much misery and calamity with me
amongst the thieves ; who, after that he had taken
a stool and sat down by the fireside in the company
of the servants, began to declare many terrible things
that had happened unto Charite and unto her house,
saying : " O ye horsekeepers, shepherds, and cow-
herds, you shall understand that we have lost our
good mistress Charite miserably and by evil adven-
ture, but not alone did she go down to the ghosts.
But to the end you may learn and know the whole
matter, I purpose to tell you the circumstance of
every point, whereby such as are more learned than
I, to whom fortune has ministered more copious
style, may paint it out in paper in form of an history.
" There was a young gentleman dwelling in the
next city, born of good parentage, valiant in prowess,
and rich in substance, but very much given and
addict to whore-hunting and continual revelling by
broad day : whereby he fell in company with
thieves, and had his hand ready to the effusion of
human blood ; and his name was Thrasyllus. The
matter was this according to the report of every
man : when Charite had come to an age ripe for
marriage, he was among the chiefest of her suitors

345

LUCIUS APULEIUS

obierat, et quanquam ceteris omnibus id genus viris
antistaret eximiisque muneribus parentum invitaret
iudicium, morum tamen improbatus repulsae contu-
melia fuerat aspersus. Ac dum herilis puella in boni
Tlepolemi manum venerat, firmiter deorsus delapsum
nutriens amorem et denegati thalami permiscens in-
dignationem, cruento facinori quaerebat accessum.
Nanctus denique praesentiae suae tempestillam occa-
sionem, sceleri quod diu cogitarat accingitur, ac die,
quo praedonum infestis mucronibus puella fuerat astu
virtutibusque sponsi sui liberata, turbae gratulantium
exultans insigniter permiscuit sese salutique praesenti
ac futurae suboli novorum maritorum gaudibundus,
ad honorem splendidae prosapiae inter praecipuos
hospites domum nostram receptus, occultato con si Ho
sceleris, amici fidelissimi personam mentiebatur.
lamque sermonibus assiduis et conversatione f're-
quenti, nonnunquam etiam cena poculoque communi
carior cariorque factus, in profundam ruinam cupidinis
sese paulatim nescius praecipitaverat. Quidni, cum
flamma saevi amoris parva quidem primo vapore de-
lectet, sed fomentis consuetudinis exaestuans immo-
dicis ardoribus totos amburat homines ?
3*6

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

and very ardently sought her hand ; but although
he were a man more comely than the residue that
wooed her, and also had riches abundantly to
persuade her parents, yet because he was of evil
fame, and a man of wicked manners and conversation,
he had the repulse and was put off by Charite. And
so our master's daughter married with Tlepolemus ;
howbeit this young man secretly cherished his down-
fallen love, and moved somewhat at her refusal, he
busily searched some means to work his damnable
intent : and so (having found occasion and oppor-
tunity to present himself there) he girt himself for
the evil purpose which he had long time concealed ;
and so he brought it to pass, that the same day that
Charite was delivered by the subtle means and valiant
audacity of her husband from the puissance of the
thieves, he mingled himself amongst the assembly,
feigning with a notable shew that he was glad above
all others of the new marriage and of the hope of
future offspring. Hereby (by reason that he came
of so noble parents) he was received and entertained
into the house as a chief guest, and falsely coloured
himself to be one of their most principal friends :
and so, under cloak of a faithful well-wisher, he
dissimuled his mischievous mind and intent. In
continuance of time, by much familiarity and often
conversation and banqueting together, he was taken
more and more in favour : then did he fall little by
little and unawares into the deeper gulf of lust and
desire. What wonder indeed ? Like as we see it
fortuneth to lovers, who are at first delighted by the
flame of cruel love, when as it is small, until by
continual feeding of it with the fuel of use and
wont, it gloweth and flameth and altogether burneth
them up.

347

LUCIUS APULEIUS

3 " Diu denique deliberaverat secum Thrasyllus, quod
nee clandestinis colloquiis opportunum repperiret
locum, et adulterinae Veneris magis magisque prae-
clusos aditus copia custodientium cerneret novaeque
atque gliscentis affectionis firmissimum vinculum non
posse dissociari perspiceret, et puellae, si vellet,
quanquam velle non posset, furatrinae coniugalis
incommodaret rudimentum ; et tamen ad hoc ipsum,
quod non potest, contentiosa pernicie, quasi posset,
impellitur : quod nunc arduum factu putatur, amore
per dies roborato facile videtur effectu. Spectate
denique sed, oro, sollicitis animis intendite, quorsum
furiosae libidinis proruperint impetus.

4 " Die quadam venatum Tlepolemus assumpto
Thrasyllo petebat indagatui'us feras, si quid tamen
in capreis feritatis est; nee enim Charite maritum
suum quaerere patiebatur bestias armatas dente vel
cornu. lamque apud frondosum turaulum ramorum-
que densis tegminibus umbrosum, prospectu vesti-
gatorum obsaeptis capreis, canes venationis indagini
generosae, mandato cubili residentes invaderent
bestias, immittuntur; statimque sollertis disciplinae
memores, partitae totos praecingunt aditus tacitaque
prius servata mussitatione, signo sibi repentino red-
dito, latratibus fervidis dissonisque miscent omnia.
Nee ulla caprea nee pavens damula nee prae ceteris
348

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

" Thrasyllus had long pondered within himself,
perceiving that it was a hard matter to break his mind
secretly to Charite, and that he was wholly barred
from accomplishment of his luxurious appetite both
by the multitude of her guards and servitors, and
because the love of her and her husband was so
strongly linked together that the bond between
them might in no wise be dissevered ; and moreover
it was a thing impossible to ravish her, because even
if she would, although she would not, she knew
nothing of the arts of deceiving a spouse. Yet was
he still provoked forward by an obstinate madness to
that very thing which he could not, as though he
could. At length the thing which seemeth so hard
and difficult, when love has been fortified through
time, doth ever at last appear easy and facile ; but
mark, I pray you, diligently, to what end the furious
force of his inordinate desire came.

" On a day Tlepolemus went to the chase with
Thrasyllus to hunt for wild beasts, but only for goats
— if indeed goats be wild beasts — for his wife
Charite desired him earnestly to meddle with no
other beasts which were of more fierce and wild
nature, armed with tusk or horn. When they were
come within the chase to a great thicket on a hill,
fortressed about with briars and thorns, they com-
passed round the goats, which had been spied
out by trackers ; and by and by warning was given
to let loose the dogs, that had been bred of a noble
stock, to rout up the beasts from their lairs. They, re-
membering all their careful teaching, spread out and
covered every entry; and first they did not give
tongue, but when on a sudden the signal was given
they rushed in with such a cry that all the forest r.mu
a°-ain with the noise ; but behold there leaped out

3*9

LUCIUS APULEIUS

feris mitior cerva, sed aper immanis atque invisitatus
exsurgit toris callosae cutis obesus, pilis inhorrentibus
corio squalidus, setis insurgentibus spinae hispidus,
dentibus attritu sonaci spumeus, oculis aspectu
minaci nammeus, impetu saevo frementis oris totus
fulmineus; et primum quidem canum procaciores,
quae comminus contulerant vestigium, genis hac
iliac iactatis consectas interficit, dein calcata retiola,
5 qua primes impetus reduxerat, transabiit. Et nos
quidem cuncti pavore deterriti et alioquin innoxiis
venationibus consueti, tune etiam inermes atque im-
muniti, tegumentis frondis vel arboribus latenter ab-
scondimus ; Thrasyllus vero nanctus fraudium oppor-
tunum decipulum sic Tlepolemum captiose compellat :
' Quid stupore confusi vel etiam cassa formidine
similes humilitati servorum istorum, vel in modum
pavoris feminei deiecti tarn opimam praedam mediis
manibus amittimus ? Quin equos inscendimus ?
Quin ocius indipiscimur ? En cape venabulum, et
ego sumo lanceam ' ; nee tantillum morati protinus
insiliunt equos ex summo studio bestiam insequentes.
Nee tamen ilia genuini vigoris oblita retorquet im-
petum et incendio feritatis ardescens dente compulso
quern primum insiliat cunctabunda rimatur. Sed
prior Tlepolemus iaculum, quod gerebat, insuper
dorsum bestiae contorsit : at Thrasyllus ferae quidem
pepercit sed equi, quo vehebatur Tlepolemus, pos-
tremos poplites lancea feriens amputat. Quadrupes
reccidens, qua sanguis effluxerat, to to tergo supinatus
350

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

no goat, nor timid deer, nor hind, most gentle of all
beasts, but an horrible and dangerous wild boar, such
as no one had seen before, thick with muscles and
brawn, with a filthy and hairy hide, his bristles rising
along his pelt, foaming at the mouth, grinding his
teeth, looking direfully with fiery eyes, and rushing
like lightning as he charged with his furious jaws.
The dogs that first set upon him he tare and rent
with his tusks, and rifled them up and hurled them
away on every side, and then he ran quite through
the nets that had checked his first charges and
escaped away. When we saw the fury of this beast,
we were all greatly stricken with fear, and because
we never accustomed to chase such dreadful boars,
and further because we were unarmed and without
weapons, we got and hid ourselves under bushes and
trees.

"Then Thrasyllus, having found opportunity to
work his treason, said to Tlepolemus : ' What, stand
we here amazed ? Why shew we ourselves like
these slaves of ours, or why leave we so worthy a
prey to go forth from our very hands, despairing
like some timid woman? Let us mount upon our
horses and pursue him incontinently : take you a
hunting javelin, and I will take a spear ' ; and by
and by they leaped upon their horses and followed
the beast earnestly. But he, forgetting not his
natural strength, returned against them burning
with the fire of his wild nature, and gnashing his
teeth, pried with his eyes on whom he might first
assail with his tusks: and Tlepolemus struck the
beast first on the back with his javelin. But Thra-
syllus attacked not the beast, but came behind and
cut the hamstrings of the hinder legs of Tlepolemus1
horse, in such sort that he fell down in much blood

351

LUCIUS APULEIUS

invitus dominum suum devolvit ad tefram : nee
diu, et eum furens aper invadit iacentem ac
primo lacinias eius, raox ipsum resurgentem multo
dente laniavit. Nee coepti nefarii bonum piguit
amicum vel suae saevitiae litatum saltern tanto
periculo cernens potuit expleri, sed percito atque
plagoso, cruda vulnera contegenti suumque auxilium
miseriter roganti per femus dexterum dimisit lanceam,
tanto ille quidem fidentius quanto crederet ferri
vulnera similia futura prosectu dentium : necnon
tamen ipsam quoque bestiam facili manu transadigit.
6 Ad hunc modum definite iuvene exciti latibulo suo
quisque familia maesta concurrimus : at ille quan-
quam perfecto voto, prostrate inimico laetus ageret,
vultu tamen gaudium tegit et frontem asseverat et
dolorem simulat, et cadaver, quod ipse fecerat, avide
circumplexus, omnia quidem lugentium officia sol-
lerter affinxit ; sed solae lacrimae procedere noluerunt.
Sic ad nostri similitudinem, qui vere lamentabamur,
conformatus manus suae culpam bestiae dabat.

" Necdum satis scelere transacto fama dilabitur et
cursus primos ad domum Tlepolemi detorquet et
aures infelicis nuptae percutit. Quae quidem simul
percepit tale nuntium quale non audiet aliud, amens
et vecordia percita cursuque bacchata furibundo per
plateas populosas et arva rurestria fertur, insana voce
casum mariti quiritans : coirfluunt civium maestae
catervae, sequuntur obvii dolore sociato, civitas cuncta
vacuatur studio visionis. Et ecce mariti cadaver
352

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

to the ground and threw despite his will his master :
then suddenly the boar came upon Tlepolemus, and
furiously tare and rent first his garments and then
him with his teeth as he would rise. Howbeit, his
good friend Thrasyllus did not repent of his wicked
deed to see him thus wounded, nor was it enough
for his cruelty only to look : but when he was gored
and essayed to protect his fresh wounds from the
heavy blows, and desired his friendly help, he thrust
Tlepolcmus through the right thigh with his spear,
the more boldly because he thought the wound of
the spear would be taken for a wound of the boar's
teeth : then he easily killed the beast likewise.
And when the young man was thus miserably slain,
every one of us came out of our holes, and went sor-
rowfully towards our slain master. But although
that Thrasyllus was joyful of the death of Tlepole-
mus, whom he did greatly hate, yet he cloaked the
matter with a sorrowful countenance, he feigned a
dolorous face, he often embraced the body which he
himself slew, he played all the parts of a mourning
person, saving there fell no tears from his eyes.
Thus he resembled us in each point (who verily, and
not without occasion, had cause to lament for our
master) laying all the blame of this homicide unto
the boar.

" Incontinently after, the sorrowful news of the
death of Tlepolemus came to the ears of all the
family, but especially to unhappy Charite, who, when
she had heard such pitiful tidings, as a mad and
raging woman ran up and down the streets and the
country fields, crying and howling lamentably. All
the citizens gathered together, and such as met her
bare her company running towards the chase, so that
all the city was emptied to see the sight. When
z 353

LUCIUS APULEIUS

accurrit labantique spiritu totam se super corpus

effudit ac paenissime ibidem, quam devoverat ei,

reddidit animam. Sed aegre manibus erepta suorum

invita remansit in vita, funus vero toto feralem pom-

pam prosequente populo deducitur ad sepulturam.

7 " Sed Thrasyllus nimium nimius clamare, plangere,

et quas in primo maerore lacrimas non habebat, iam

scilicet crescente gaudio reddere et multis caritatis

nominibus veritatem ipsam fallere. Ilium amicum,

coaetaueum, contubernalem, fratrem denique, addito

nomine lugubri, ciere, necnon interdum manus Cha-

rites a pulsandis uberibus amovere, luctum sedare,

eiulatum coercere, verbis palpantibus stimulum do-

loris obtundere, variis exemplis multivagi casus

solacia nectere, cunctis tamen mentitae pietatis

officiis studium contrectandae mulieris adhibere

odiosumque amorem suum perperam delectando

nutrire. Sed officiis inferialibus statim exactis puella

protinus festinat ad maritum suum demeare, cunc-

tasque prorsus pertemptat vias, certe illam lenem

otiosamque nee telis ullis indigentem sed placidae

quieti consimilem : inedia denique misera et incuria

354

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

they met the slain body of Tlepolemus, Charite
threw herself upon him, weeping and lamenting
grievously for his death, in such sort that she would
have presently ended her life upon the corpse of her
slain husband, whom she so entirely loved, had it not
been that her parents and friends did comfort her,
and hardly pulled her away. Then the body was
taken up, and in funeral pomp brought to the city
and buried.

" In the mean season Thrasyllus feigned much
sorrow for the death of Tlepolemus, crying and
beating his breast beyond all measure, but in his heart
he was well pleased and joyful, and the tears that he
had not for his former grief were ready to come now
for his gladness. And to counterfeit very truth by
words of kindness, he would come to Charite and
say : ' O what a loss have I had, by the death of my
friend, my fellow, my companion, my brother
Tlepolemus ' (adding the name in a melancholy
voice). 'O Charite, comfort yourself, pacify your
dolour, refrain your weeping, beat not your breasts.'
And so saying, he would hold her hands and restrain
them, so that she might not beat her bosom : with
soft words he would blunt the sting of her sorrow,
and with divers examples of evil fortune he endea-
voured to comfort her ; but he spake and did not
this for any other intent but that in guise of friend-
ship he might closely handle the woman, and so
nourish his odious love with filthy delight. How-
beit, Charite, after the burial of her husband, sought
the means to follow him, and tried every way, but
especially that which is most gentle and easy, nor
requireth any weapon, but is most like to quit-t
sleep: for she purposed to finish her life with
starvation and neglecting herself, she buried herself

355

LUCIUS APULEIUS

squalida tenebris imis abscondita iam cum luce trans-
egerat. Sed Thrasyllus instantia pervicaci, partim
per semet ipsum, partim per ceteros familiares ac
necessaries, ipsos denique puellae parentes extorquet
tandem, iam lurore et illuvie paene collapsa membra
lavacro, cibo denique confoveret. At ilia pareiitum
suorum alioquin reverens, invita quidem verum
religiosae necessitati succumbens, vultu non quidem
hilaro, verum paulo sereniore obiens, ut iubebatur,
viventium munia, prorsus in pectore, immo vero pe-
nitus in medullis luctu ac maerore carpebat animum
et dies totos totasque noctes insumebat luctuoso
desiderio, et imagines defuncti, quas ad habitum dei
Liberi formaverat, affixo servitio divinis percolens
honoribus, ipso sese solacio cruciabat.
8 "Verum Thrasyllus praeceps alioquin et de ipso
nomine temerarius, priusquam dolorem lacrimae
satiarent et percitae mentis resideret furor, et in
sese nimietatis senio lassesceret luctus, adhuc flentem
maritum, adhuc vestes lacerantem, adhuc capillos
distrahentem non dubitavit de nuptiis convenire et
imprudentiae labe tacita pectoris sui secreta fraudes-
que ineffabiles detegere. Sed Charite vocem ne-
fandam et horruit et detestata est et, velut gravi
tonitru procellaque sideris vel etiam ipso diali
fulmine percussa, corruit corpus et obnubilavit

356

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

deep in the darkness and had done with the light
for good and all. But Thrasyllus was very impor-
tunate, and at length brought to pass that at the
intercession both of himself and of the friends and
familiars, and last of the parents of Charite, she
somewhat refreshed her body, that was all befouled
and well nigh broken, with refection of meat and
bathing. Howbeit, she did it unwillingly, more at
the commandment of her parents and the duty she
owed to them, than for anything else : and she wore
a calmer, but yet not a merry face, while she went
about the duties of the living, but inwardly she
tormented herself very greatly with grief and
mourning : she spent whole days and nights in
miserable longing, and there was an image of her
husband, which she had made like unto Bacchus,
unto which she rendered divine honours and services,
so that she grieved herself even by her consolation.

" In the mean season Thrasyllus, not being able
to refrain any longer, a man bold and impatient
according to the signification of his name,1 before
Charite had assuaged her dolours with tears, before
her troubled mind had pacified her fury, before her
grief had become less from its own abundance and
long continuance, while she wept for her husband,
while she tare her garments and rent her hair,
doubted not to demand her in marriage, and so
very rashly detected the secrets and unspeakable
deceits of his heart. But Charite detested and
abhorred his demand, and as she had been stricken
with some clap of thunder, with some storm, or with
the lightning of Jupiter, she presently fell down to
the ground all amazed with a cloud. Howbeit in the

1 Thrasyllus is derived from the Greek 6pa<rfo, venturous,
bold, rash.

357

LUCIUS APULEIUS

animam. Sed intervallo revalescente paulatim spi-
ritu, ferinos mugitus iterans et iam scaenam pessimi
Thrasylli perspicieus, ad limam consilii desiderium
petitoris distulit. Tune inter moras umbra ilia
misere trucidati Tlepolemi sanie cruentam et pallore
deformem attollens faciem quietem pudicam inter-
pellat uxoris : ' Mi coniux (quod tibi prorsus ab alio
dici non licebit) etsi pectori tuo iam perimitur nostri
memoria, vel acerbae mortis meae casus foedus
caritatis intercidit, quovis alio felicius maritare, modo
ne in Thrasylli manum sacrilegam convenias, neve
sermonem conferas nee mensam accumbas nee toro
acquiescas. Fuge mei percussoris cruentam dex-
teram : noli parricidio nuptias auspicari. Vulnera
ilia, quorum sanguinem tuae lacrimae proluerunt,
non sunt tota dentium vulnera : lancea mali Thra-
sylli me tibi fecit alienum ' : et addidit cetera
9 omnemque scaenam sceleris illuminavit. At ilia, ut
primum maesta quieverat toro faciem impressa, etiam
nunc dormiens lacrimis emanantibus genas cohumidat
et velut quodam tormento inquieta quieti excussa,
luctu redintegrate prolixum eiulat,1 discissaque in-
terula decora brachia saevientibus palmulis conver-
berat. Nee tamen cum quoquam participatis noc-

1 The end <>f ch. 7 and the beginniug of ch. 8, as well as the
end of ch. 8 and the beginning of ch. 9, have suffered by a bad
tear in the parchment of the best MS. In both passages the
text is a little uncertain.

358

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

end, when her spirits were revived and that she
returned to herself crying and shrieking like some
beast, remembering all that had passed with the
wicked Thrasyllus, she demanded respite to de-
liberate and to take advice on the matter.

" In the mean season of delay the shape of
Tlepolemus that was slain so miserably appeared to
Charite as she chastely slept, with a pale and bloody
face, saying : ' O my sweet wife (a name which no
other person shall say but I), even if the memory of
me in thy heart groweth dim, or the remembrance
faileth of my pitiful death, in so much that our bond
of love hath been severed, marry happily with any
other person, so that you marry not with the traitor
Thrasyllus ; have no conference with him, eat not
with him, lie not with him ; avoid the bloody hand
of mine enemy, let not thy marriage be begun with
parricide.1 For those wounds, the blood whereof
thy tears did wash away, were not all the wounds
of the teeth of the boar, but the spear of wicked
Thrasyllus parted me from thee.' Thus spoke
Tlepolemus unto his loving wife, and declared the
whole residue of the damnable fact. But Charite
lay as she had first fallen asleep, with her face
buried in her pillow ; now she wetted her cht t k>
with her welling tears : and now aroused as by some
new anguish, she began to cry aloud as if sh<
renewed her dolour, to tear her garments, and t<>
beat her comely arms with her furious hands :
howbeit she revealed the vision which she saw to

* Parricide had in Roman K-pal phraseology a much wi.i.-r
sense than the English word. The murder of u free man, or an v
assassination or treachery, was called parricidal ; and a woman i
marriage with her husband's murderer would be in tin- sunn-
category.

359

LUCIUS APULEIUS

turnis imaginibus, sed indicio facinoris prorsus
dissimulate, et nequissimum percussorem punire et
aerumnabili vitae sese subtrahere tacita decernit.
Ecce rursus improvidae voluptatis detestabilis petitor
aures obseratas de nuptiis obtundens aderat : sed
ilia clementer aspemata sermonem Thrasylli astuque
miro personata instanter garrienti summisseque
deprecanti ' Adhuc ' inquit ' Tui fratris meique
carissimi mariti facies pulchra ilia in meis deversatur
oculis, adhuc odor cinnameus ambrosei corporis per
nares meas percurrit, adhuc formosus Tlepolemus in
meo vivit pectore. Boni ergo et optimi consules, si
luctui legitimo miserrimae feminae necessarium con-
cesseris tempus, quoad residuis mensibus spatium
reliquum compleatur anni, quae res cum meum
pudorem, turn etiam tuum salutare commodum
respicit, ne forte immaturitate nuptiarum indigna-
tione iusta manes acerbos mariti ad exitium salutis
tuae suscitemus.'

10 "Nee isto sermone Thrasyllus sobriefactus vel
saltern tempestiva pollicitatione recreatus identidem
pergit linguae sauciantis susurros improbos inurguere,
quoad simulanter revicta Charite suscipit : ' Istud
equidem certe magnopere deprecanti concedas
necesse est mihi, mi Thrasylle, ut interdum taciti
clandestinos coitus obeamusnecquisquam persentiscat
familiarium, quoad dies reliquos metiatur annus.'
Promissioni fnllaciosae mulieris oppressus succubuit
Thrasyllus et prolixe consentit de furtivo concubitu,
360

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

no manner of person, but dissembling that she knew
the truth of the mischief, devised silently with herself
how she might be revenged on the wicked murderer,
and finish her own life, to end and knit up all sorrow.
Again came Thrasyllus the detestable demander of
the pleasure that should betray him, and wearied
the closed ears of Charite with talk of marriage ; but
she, gently refusing his communication, and colouring
the matter with passing craft in the midst of his
earnest desires and humble prayers, began to say :
' Thrasyllus, you shall understand that yet the
comely face of your brother l and my husband is
always before mine eyes ; I smell yet the cinnamon
scent of his precious body, I yet feel Tlepolemus
alive in my heart : wherefore you shall do well it
you grant to me, miserable woman, necessary time
to bewail his death, until after the residue of a few
months the whole year may be expired, which thing
toucheth as well my shame as your wholesome profit,
lest peradventure by our speedy and quick marriage
we should justly raise and provoke the resentful
spirit of my husband to work your destruction.'

" Howbeit Thrasyllus was not contented with this
speech, nor even cheered by her hopeful promise,
but more and more was earnest upon her, to whisper
wickedly in her ear with his busy tongue, in so much
that she was enforced to seem conquered by him,
and to speak to him in this manner : ' My friend
Thrasyllus, this one thing must thou grant to my
earnest prayers, that we should take our pleasure in
such sort and so secret, that no servant of the house
may perceive it until the whole year be complete
and finished.' Then Thrasyllus, trusting the false
promises of the woman, consented gladly to her
1 Brother-in-aruis, fellow, comrade, as in ch. 7 above.

361

LUCIUS APULEIUS

noctemque et opertas exoptat ultro tenebras, uno po-
tiundi studio postponens omnia. ' Sed heus tu,' inquit
Charite'Quam probe veste contectus omnique comite
viduatus prima vigilia tacitus fores meas accedas uno-
que sibilo contentus nutricem istara meam opperiare,
quae claustris adhaerens excubabit adventuituo : nee
setius patefactis aedibus acceptum te oullo lumine
conscio ad meum perducet cubiculum.'

11 " Placuit Thrasyllo scaena feralium nuptiarum :
nee sequius aliquid suspicatus sed expectatione turbi-
dus de diei tantum spatio et vesperae mora quere-
batur. Sed ubi sol tandem nocti decessit, ex
imperio Charites adornatus et nutricis captiosa
vigilia deceptus irrepit cubiculum pronus spei. Tune
anus de iussu dominae blandiens ei furtim de-
promptis calicibus et oenophoro, quod immixtum
vino soporiferum gerebat venenum, crebris potioni-
bus avide ac secure haurientem, mentita dominae
tarditatem, quasi parentem assideret aegrotum,
facile sepelivit ad somnum. lamque eo ad omnes
iniurias exposito ac supinato, introvocata Charite
masculis animis impetuque diro fremens invadit ac

12 supersistit sicarium : 'En' inquit 'Fidus coniugis
mei comes, en venator egregius, en carus maritus.
Haec est ilia dextera quae meum sanguinem fudit,
hoc pectus quod fraudulentas ambages in meum
concinnavit exitium, oculi isti quibus male placui,

362

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK Vlll

secret embraces, and was joyful in his heart and
looked for night, when as he might have his purpose,
preferring his inordinate pleasure above all things in
the world. ' But come you quietly about midnight,'
said Charite, ' Covered up and disguised without all
company. And do but hiss at my chamber-door,
and await; my nurse shall attend sitting before the
barrier for thy coming. Then shall she let thee in,
and bring thee without any light, that might betray
us, to my sleeping-room.'

" This counsel of fatal marriage pleasedThrasyllus
marvellously ; who, suspecting no harm, and in a tur-
moil of expectation, did always complain that the day
was long and the evening came not : but when at last
the sun gave way to the night, according to Charite's
commandment he disguised himself and went
straight, full of hope, to her chamber, where he
found the nurse attending for him with feigned
diligence. She (by the appointment of her mistress)
fed him with flattering talk, brought silently cups and
a flagon, and gave him drink mingled and doled
with sleepy drugs, excusing the absence of her
mistress Charite by reason that she attended on her
father being sick, until such time that with sweet
talk and operation of the wine (for he drank
greedily and suspected nothing) he fell in a sound
sleep. Now when he lay prostrate on the ground
ready to all attack, Charite (being called for)
came in, and with manly courage and bold force
stood over this sleeping murderer, saying : ' Behold
the faithful companion of my husband, behold this
valiant hunter, behold my dear spouse ; this is the
hand which shed my blood, this is the heart which
hath devised so many subtle means to work my
destruction, these be the eyes whom I have pleased

363

LUCIUS APULEIUS

qui quodam modo futuras tenebras auspicantes
venientes poenas antecedunt. Quiesce securus,
beate somniare. Non ego gladio, non ferro petam :
absit ut simili mortis genere cum marito meo
coaequeris. Vivo tibi morientur oculi, nee quicquam
videbis nisi dormiens. Faxo feliciorem necem
inimici tui quam vitam tuam sentias. Lumen certe
non videbis, manu comitis indigebis, Chariten non
tenebis, nuptias non frueris, nee mortis quiete
recreaberis nee vitae voluptate laetaberis, sed in-
certum simulacrum errabis inter Orcum et solem ;
et diu quaeres dexteram quae tuas expugnavit
pupulas, quodque est in aerumna miserrimum,
nescies de quo queraris. At ego sepulchrum mei
Tlepolemi tuo luminum cruore libabo et sanctis
manibus eius istis oculis parentabo. Sed quid mora
temporis dignum cruciatum lucraris et meos forsitan
tibi pestiferos imaginaris amplexus ? Relictis som-
nolentis tenebris ad aliam poenalem evigila cali-
ginem : attolle vacuam faciem, vindictam recognosce,
infortunium intellege, aerumnas computa. Sic
pudicae mulieri tui placuerunt oculi, sic faces nup-
tiales tuos illuminarunt thalamos. Ultrices habebis
pronubas, et orbitatem comitem et perpetuae con-
scientiae stimulum.'

13 "Ad hunc modum vaticinata mulier acu crinali
364

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

to my ill : behold how in a manner they foreshewed
their own destined punishment when they prayed
for the darkness to come. Sleep careless, dream
that thou art in the hands of the merciful, for I will
not hurt thee with thy sword or with any other
weapon ; God forbid that I should make thee equal
to my husband by a like death. But thy eyes
shall fail thee still living, and thou shalt see no
more save when thou dreamest: I will see to
it that thou shalt think the death of thine enemy
more sweet than thy life : of a surety thou shalt see
no light, thou shalt lack the aid of a leader, thou
shalt not have me as thou hopest, thou shalt have no
delight of my marriage, thou shalt have no rest in
the quiet of death, and yet living thou shalt have no
joy, but wander between the light of day and the
darkness of hell as an unsure image : thou shalt seek
for the hand that pricked out thy eyes, yet shalt
thou not know (the most grievous part in all calamity)
of whom thou shouldst complain : I will make libation
with the blood of thine eyes upon the grave of my
husband, I will pacify his holy shade with these eyes
of thine. But why dost thou gain respite of thy due
torment through my delay ? Perhaps thou dreamest
that thou embracest me in thine arms to thine own
ruin : leave off the darkness of sleep, and awake
thou to receive a penal deprivation of light : lift up
thy sightless face, regard thy vengeance and evil
fortune, reckon thy misery : so pleaseth thine eyes
to a chaste woman, so have the nuptial torches
lightened thy couch, that thou shalt have the Furies
to be women of thy bedchamber, blindness to be
thy companion, and an everlasting prick of remorse
to thy miserable conscience.'

"When she had prophesied in these words, she

365

LUCIUS APULFJUS
capite deprompta Thrasylli convulnerat tola lumina
eumque prorsus exoculatum relinquens, dum dolore
nescio crapulam cum somno discutit, arrepto nudo
gladio quo se Tlepolemus solebat incingere, per
mediam civitatem cursu furioso proripit se, procul
dubio nescioquod scelus gestiens et recta monimentum
mariti contendit. At nos et omnis populus nudatis
totis aedibus studiose consequimur, hortati mutuo
ferrum vesanis extorquere manibus. Sed Charite
capulum Tlepolemi propter assistens gladioque ful-
genti singulos abigens, ubi fletus uberes et lamenta-
tiones varias cunctorum intuetur, ' Abicite ' inquit,
' Importunas lacrimas, abicite luctum tneis virtutibus
alienum. Vindicavi in mei mariti cruentum peremp-
torem, punita sum funestum mearum nuptiarum
praedonem. lam tempus est ut isto gladio deorsus
14 ad meum Tlepolemum viam quaeram.' Et enarratis
ordine singulis quae sibi per somnium nuntiaverat
maritus quoque astu Thrasyllum inductum petisset,
ferro sub papillam dexteram transadacto corruit et in
suo sibi pervolutata sanguine postremo balbutiens
incerto sermone proflavit animam virilem. Tune
propere familiares miserae Charites accuratissime
corpus ablutum unita sepultura ibidem marito per-
petuam coniugem reddidere. Thrasyllus vero cognitis
omnibus, nequiens idoneum exitum praesenti cladi

366

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

took a great needle from her head and pricked out
both his eyes: which done, leaving him blind and
waking in great pain (though he knew not whence it
came) from his drunkenness and sleep, she by and
by caught the naked sword which her husband
Tlepolemus accustomed to wear, and ran throughout
all the city like a mad woman towards the sepulchre
uf her husband, doubtless bent on some wild purpose.
Then we with all the citizens left our houses and ran
incontinently after her, exhorting each other to take
the sword out of her furious hands ; but she, clasping
about the tomb of Tlepolemus, kept us off with her
naked weapon, and when she perceived that every
one of us wept and lamented, she spake in this sort :
' I pray you, my friends, let there be no unasked
tears for me nor laments unworthy of my courage,
for I am revenged of the death of my husband, I
have punished deservedly the wicked breaker of our
marriage 1 ; now is it time to seek out with this sword
the way to my sweet Tlepolemus.' And therewithal,
after she had made relation of the whole matter which
was declared unto her by the vision of her husband
which she saw, and told by what means she deceived
Thrasyllus, thrusting the sword under her right
breast and wallowing in her own blood, she babbled
some uncertain words and at length with manly
courage yielded up the ghost. Then immediately
the friends of miserable Charite did wash carefully
her body and bury her within the same sepulchre with
Tlepolemus to be his spouse for ever. Thrasyllus, hear-
ing all the matter, and knowing that by no death he
could fitly atone for this present ruin, for he thought

l The Latin can also (and perhaps better) bear the meaning
of "the robber of my marriage" in the sense of one who
would force her to marry him by fraud or violence.

867

LUCIUS APULEIUS

reddere certusque tanto facinori nee gladium sufficere,
sponte delatus ibidem ad sepulchrum, ' Ultronea
vobis, infesti Manes, en adest victima ' saepe cla-
mitans, valvis super sese diligenter obseratis inedia
statuit elidere sua sententia damnatum spiritum."
15 Haec ille longos trahens suspiritus et nonnunquam
illacriraans graviter affectis rusticis annuntiabat.
Tune illi mutati dominii novitatem metuentes et
infortunium domus herilis altius miserantes fugere
comparant. Sed equorum magister qui me curandum
niagna ille quidem commendatione susceperat, quid-
quid in casula pretiosum conditumque servabat meo
atque aliorum iumentorum dorso repositum asportans
sedes pristinas deserit. Gerebamus infantulos et
muliereSj gerebamus pullos, anseres, haedos, catellos,
et quidquid infirmo gradu fugam morabatur, iiostris
quoque pedibus ambulabat. Nee me pondus sarcinae,
quanquam enormis, urguebat, quippe gaudiali fuga
detestabilem ilium exsectorem virilitatis meae relin-
quentem.

Silvosi mentis asperum permensi iugum rursusque
reposita camporum spatia pervecti, iam vespera se-
mitam tenebrante, pervenimus ad quoddam castellum
frequens et opulens, unde nos incolae nocturna, immo
vero matutina etiam prohibebant egressione : lupos
enim numerosos, grandes et vastis corporibus sarci-
nosos ac niinia ferocitate saevientes, passim rapinis
368

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

his sword was not sufficient to revenge so great a crime,
at length went of himself to the same sepulchre, and
cried with a loud voice, saying: 'O ye dead spirits
whom I have so highly offended, receive me ; behold
I make sacrifice unto you with my body ' : which
said he closed the doors of the sepulchre upon him,
purposing to famish himself, and so finish his life
there and yield up his accursed ghost in sorrow."

These things the young man with pitiful sighs
and tears declared unto the cowherds and shepherds,
which caused them all to weep ; but they, tearing to
become subject unto new masters, and pitying deeply
the misery of their master's house, prepared them-
selves to depart away ; but by and by the horse-
keeper, to whom the charge of me so carefully
had been committed, brought forth all the precious
things that were stored in his cottage, and buU-d
me and other horses withal, and so departed thence
from his former place : we bare women, children,
pullets, geese, kids, whelps, and other things which
were not able to keep pace with us, which so
travelled upon our feet. As for that which I bare
upon my back, although it was a mighty burden,
yet seemed it but light because I was very glad to
depart and leave him that most terribly had ap-
pointed to geld me.

When we had passed over a great mountain full
of trees and were come again into the open fields,
behold we approached nigh to a fair and rich castle,
where it was told unto us that we were not able to
pass in our journey that night, nay, nor in the early
morning either, by reason of the great number of
terrible wolves which were in the country about,
besieging all the roads; so great in their body ami
fierce and cruel, that they put every man in fear, in
2 A S69

LUCIUS APULEIUS

assuetos infestare cunctam illam regionem, iamque
ipsas vias obsidere et in modum latronum praeter-
euntes aggredi, imrao etiam vesana fame rabidos
finitiraas expugnare villas exitiumque inertissiraorum
pecudum ipsis iam humanis capitibus imminere.
Denique ob iter illud, qua nobis erat commeandum,
iacere semesa hominum corpora suisque visceribus
nudatis ossibus cuncta candere ac per hoc nos quo-
que summa cautione viae reddi debere idque vel
in primis observitare, ut luce clara et die iam pro-
vecto et sole florido, vitantes undique latentes in-
sidias, cum et ipso lumine dirarum bestiarum repi-
gratur impetus, non laciniatim disperse sed cuneatim
stipato commeatu difficultates illas transabiremus.
i 6 Sed nequissimi fugitivi ductores illi nostri caecae
festinationis temeritate ac metu incertae insecutionis,
spreta salubri monitione nee expectata luce proxuma,
circa tertiam ferme vigiliam noctis onustos nos ad
viam propellunt. Tune ego metu praedicti periculi
quantum pote turbae medius et inter conferta iu-
menta latenter absconditus clunibus meis ab ag-
gressionibus ferinis consulebam, iamque me cursu
celeri ceteros equos antecellentem mirabantur omnes ;
sed ilia pernicitas non erat alacritatis meae sed for-
midinis indicium. Denique mecum ipse reputabam,
Pegasum inclutum ilium metu magis volaticum
fuisse ac per hoc merito pinnatum proditum, dum
in altum et adusque caelum sussilit ac resultat,
370

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

such sort that they would invade and set upon such
which passed by like thieves, and devour them and
their beasts : and sometimes they would be mad
with hunger and would attack the country-farms
that lay hard by, and that the same death as of the
peaceful cattle would await the men therein. More-
over, we were advertised that there lay in the way
where we should pass many dead bodies, half eaten
and torn with wolves, and their inward flesh was all
torn away and the white of their bones was every-
where to be seen. Wherefore we were willed to use
all caution in our going, and to observe this above
all, .that in broad light, when the day was well on
and the sun was high, and the fierceness of such
horrible beasts was constrained by the light, to go
close and round together, avoiding all hidden lairs,
whereby we might pass and escape all perils and
dangers. But (notwithstanding this good counsel)
our caitiff drivers were so covetous to go forward,
being rash in their blind haste, and so fearful of
pursuit, that they never heeded the advice nor
stayed till the morning : but In- ing not long past
midnight, they made us be laden and trudge in
our way apace. .Then I, fearing the great danger
which was foretold, ran amongst the middle of the
other horses and hid there as deep as I could, to the
end I might defend and save my poor buttocks from
the wolves : whereat every man much marvelled to
see that I scoured away swifter than the other horses :
but such my agility, was not to get me any praise
for speed, but rather a sign of fear. At that time
I remembered with myself that the valiant horse
Pegasus did fly rather for fear and for that was
deservedly called winged, that he did leap up in the
air and skip up to the very sky, more to avoid the

371

LUCIUS APULEIUS

formidans scilicet igniferae morsum Chimaerae. Nam
et illi pastores qui nos agebant in speciem proelii
manus obarmaverant : hie lanceam, ille venabulum,
alius gerebat spicula, fustem alius, sed et saxa, quae
salebrosa semita largiter subministrabat ; erant qui
sudes praeacutas attollerent, plerique tamen ardenti-
bus facibus proterrebant feras : nee quicquam praeter
unicam tubam deerat quin acies esset proeliaris. Sed
nequicquam frustra timorem ilium satis inanem per-
functi longe peiores inhaesimus laqueos : nam lupi,
forsitan confertae iuventutis strepitu vel certe nimia
luce flammarum deterriti vel etiam aliorsum gras-
santes, nulli contra nos aditum tulerunt ac ne procul
17 saltern ulli comparuerant. Villae vero, quam tune
forte praeteribamus, coloni, multitudinem nostram
latrones rati, satis agentes rerum suarum eximieque
trepidi canes rabidos et immanes et quibusvis lupis
et ursis saeviores, quos ad tutelae praesidia curiose
fuerant alumnati, iubilationibus solitis et cuiuscemodi
vocibus nobis inhortantur, qui praeter genuinam
ferocitatem tumultu suorum exasperati contra nos
ruunt, et undique laterum circumfusi passim insiliunt
ac sine ullo dilectu iumenta simul et homines lace-
rant diuque grassati plerosque prosternunt. Cerneres
non tarn Hercule memorandum quam miserandum
etiam spectaculum, canes copiosos ardentibus animis
alios fugientes arripere, alios stantibus inhaerere,
quosdam iacentes inscendere et per omnem nostrum
commeatum morsibus ambulare. Ecce tanto peri-
372

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII
dangerous bite of fiery Chimaera than for anything
else. For the very shepherds which drove us before
them were well armed like warriors for battle : one
had a spear, another had a hunting lance, some had
darts, some clubs, some also gathered up great stones,
of which there were many upon that rough road,
some held up sharpened stakes, and most feared away
the wolves with light firebrands : finally we lacked
nothing to make up an army but only trumpets.
But when we had passed these dangers not without
small fear, though it was vain and empty, all was in
vain, for we fortuned to fall into a snare much
worse ; for the wolves came not upon us, either
because of the great noise and multitude of our
company, or else because of our firebrands, or perad-
venture they were gone to some other place, for we
could see none, even afar off. But the inhabitants of
the next village (supposing that we were thieves by
reason of our great multitude) for the defence of
their own substance, and for the fear they were in,
set great and mighty mastiffs upon us, worse than any
wolves or bears, which they had kept and nourished
for the safety of their houses ; who were both by
nature very fierce and were urged on by their masters,
holloing after their wont and driving them with all
manner of cries ; they, compassing us round about,
leaped on every side, tearing us with their teeth,
both man and beast, in such sort that they
wounded and pulled many of us to the ground.
Verily, it was a famous but a pitiful sight to see so
many dogs all mad with fury, some following such as
fled, some invading such as stood still, some leaping
upon those which lay prostrate, and going through-
out the whole of our company with savage biting.
Behold, upon this, another worse danger ensued;

373

LUCIUS APULEIUS

culo malum niaius insequitur : de summis enimtectis
ac de proxumo colle rusticani illi saxa super nos
raptim devolvunt, ut discernere prorsus nequire-
mus qua potissimura caveremus clade, comminus
canum an eminus lapidum. Quorum quidem unuS
caput mulieris, quae meum dorsum residebat, re-
pente percussit : quo dolore commota statim fletu
cum clamore sublato maritum suum pastorem ilium
j 8 suppetiatum ciet. At ille deum fidem clamitans et
cruorem uxoris abstergens altius quiritabat : " Quid
miseros homines et laboriosos viatores tarn crudelibus
animis invaditis atque obteritis? Quas praedas
inhiatis ? Quae damna vindicatis ? At non speluncas
ferarum vel cautes incolitis barbarorum, ut humano
sanguine profusogaudeatis." Vix haec dicta, et statim
lapidum congestus cessavit imber et infestorum canum
revocata conquievit procella. Unus illinc denique de
summo cupressus cacumine " At nos " inquit " Non
vestrorum spoliorum cupidine latrocinamur, sed hanc
ipsam cladem de vestris protelamus manibus : iam
denique pace tranquilla securi potestis incedere." Sic
ille, sed nos plurifariam vulnerati reliquam viam
capessimus, alius lapidis, alius morsus vulnera refer-
entes, universi tamen saucii.

Aliquanto denique viae permenso spatio pervenimus
ad nemus quoddam proceris arboribus consitum et
pratentibus virectis amoenum, ubi placuit illis ductori-
bus nostris refectui paululum conquiescere corporaque
sua diverse laniata sedulo recurare. Ergo passim
prostrati solo primum fatigatos animos recuperare ac
374

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

the inhabiters of the town stood upon their roofs
and the hills hard by, throwing great stones upon
our heads, so that we could not tell whether it
were best for us to avoid the gaping mouths of the
dogs at hand, or the peril of the stones afar. Amongst
whom there was one that hurled a great flint upon
the head of a woman which sat upon my back ;
who cried out piteously, desiring her husband, the
shepherd, to help her. Then he (coming to wipe off
the blood from his wife) began to complain in this
sort, calling upon God's name : " Alas, masters, what
mean you to trouble us poor labouring men and
wayfarers and so cruelly to overcome us? What
think you to gain by us ? What mean you to revenge
yourselves upon us, that do you no harm ? You dwell
not in caves or dens, you are no people barbarous
that you should delight in effusion of human blood."
At these words the tempest of stones did cease, and
the storm of the dogs was called back and vanished
away. Then one (standing on the top of a great
cypress-tree) spake unto us, saying : " Think you not,
masters, that we do this to the intent to rifle or take
away any of your goods, but for the safeguard ot
ourselves and family from a like slaughter at your
hands; now in God's name you may depart away."
So we went forward, some wounded with stones,
some bitten with dogs, but generally there was none
which escaped free.

When we had gone a good part of our way we
came to a certain wood environed with great trees,
and compassed about with pleasant meadows, where
the shepherds, our guides, appointed to continue a
certain space for rest, to cure their divers wounds
and sores. Then they sat down on the ground to
refresh their weary minds, and afterwards they

375

LUCIUS APULEIUS

dehinc vulneribus medelas varias adhibere festinant :
hie cruorem praeterfluentis aquae rore deluere,
ille spongeis inacidatis tumores comprimere, alius
fasciolis hiantes vincire plagas. Ad istum modum
saluti suae quisque consulebat.

19 Interea quidam senex de summo colle prospectat,
quern circum capellae pascentes opilionem esse pro-
fecto clamabant. Eum rogavit unus e nostris ha-
beretne venui lactem vel adhuc liquidum* vel in ca-
seum recentem inchoatum. At ille diu capite
quassanti " Vos autem " inquit " De cibo vel poculo
vel omnino ulla refectione nunc cogitatis ? An nulli
scitis quo loco consederitis ? " Et cum dicto conductis
oviculis conversus longe recessit. Quae vox eius et
fuga pastoribus nostris non mediocrem pavorem
incussit : ac dum perterriti de loci qualitate sciscitari
gestiunt nee est qui doceat, senex alius, magnus ille
quidem, gravatus annis, totus in baculum pronus et
lassum trahens vestigium, ubertim lacrimans per
viam proximat, visisque nobis cum fletu maximo
singulorum iuvenum genua contingens sic adorabat :

20 " Per fortunas vestrosque genios, sic ad meae senec-
tutis spatia validi laetique veniatis, decepto seni sub-
sistite meumque parvulum ab inferis ereptum canis
meis reddite. Nepos namque meus et itineris huius
suavis comes dum forte passerem incantantem
saepiculae consectatur arripere, delapsus in proxumam
foveam, quae fruticibus imis subpatet, in extreme iam
vitae consistit periculo, quippe cum de fletu ac voce
376

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

sought for medicines to heal their bodies: some
washed away their blood with the Mater of the
running river, some laid upon their bruises sponges
steeped with vinegar, some stopped their wounds
with clouts ; in this manner every one provided for
his own safety.

In the mean season we perceived an old man that
looked from the top of an hill, who seemed to be a
shepherd by reason of the goats and sheep that fed
round about him : then one of our company demanded
whether he had any milk to sell, whether new drawn
or freshly made into cheese. To whom he made
answer, shaking his head, saying : " Do you think
now of any meat or drink, or any other refection
here ? Know none of you in what place you be ? "
And therewithal he took his sheep and drove them
away as fast as he might possible. This answer and
his fleeing away made our shepherds greatly to fear,
so that they thought of nothing else but to enquire
what country they were in : howbeit, they saw no
manner of person of whom they might demand. At
length, as they were thus in doubt, they perceived
another old man very tall and heavy with years, with
a staff in his hand and very weary footsteps, who,
approaching nigh to our company, began to weep
greatly and complain, embracing the knees of every
one and saying:

" Alas, masters, I pray you by your fates and lucky
spirits, may you come to the years of old age strong
and joyful, as you shall succour me, miserable caitiff,
and restore my little one from Hell to my white hairs
again. For he, my grandson, the dear companion of
my path, by following a sparrow that sang upon an
hedge, is fallen into a ditch hereby that lay open at
the root of the shrubs, and verily I think he is in

877

LUCIUS APULEIUS

ipsius avum sibi saepicule clamitantis vivere ilium
quidein sentiam, sed per corporis, ut videtis, mei
defectam valitudinem opitulari nequeam. At vobis
aetatis et roboris beneficio facile est suppetiari
miserrimo seni puerumque ilium novissimum suc-
cessionis meae atque unicam stirpem sospitem mihi
facere."

21 Sic deprecantis suamque canitiem distrahentis
totos quidein miseruit ; sed unus prae ceteris et animo
fortior et aetate iuvenior et corpore validior, quique
solus praeter alios incolumis proelium superius eva-
serat, exsurgit alacer et percontatus quonam locipuer
ille decidisset, monstrantem digito non longe frutices
horridos senem ilium impigre comitatur. Ac dum
pabulo nostro suaque cura refecti sarcinulis quisque
sumptis suis viam capessunt, clamore primum nomi-
natim cientes ilium iuvenem frequenter inclamant ;
mox mora diutina commoti mittunt e suis arcessi-
torem unum, qui requisitum comitem tempestivae
viae commonefactum reduceret. At ille modicum
commoratus refert sese buxanti pallore trepidus,
miraque 1 super conserve suo renuntiat : conspica-
tum se quippe supinato illi et iam ex maxima parte
consumpto immanem draconem mandentem insistere
nee ullum usquam miserrimum senem comparere
ilium. Qua re cognita et cum pastoris sermone col-
lata, qui saevum prorsus hunc ilium nee alium lo-
corum inquilinum praeminabatur, pestilenti deserta
regione velociori se fuga proripiunt nosque pellunt

22 crebris tundentes fustibus. Celerrime denique longo

i MSS mira. Some connecting particle is needed, and we
must write either et mira or miraque.

378

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

danger of death. As for me, though I know from
his own voice, crying oft upon his grandsire, that he
yet liveth, I am not able to help him by reason of
my old age, but you, that are so valiant and lusty,
may easily help me herein a miserable old man,
and deliver me my boy, last of my heirs and single
offspring of my race that is yet left alive."

These words and his tearing of his white and aged
hair made us all to pity him : and the youngest and
stoutest of heart in our company, and strongest
of body, who alone escaped unhurt from the late
skirmish of dogs and stones, rose up quickly, de-
manding in what ditch the boy was fallen. " Marry,"
said he, "Yonder," and pointing with his finger,
brought him to a great thicket of bushes and thorn,
where they both entered in. In the mean season,
after that we had well refreshed ourselves with our
grazing and they had cured their wounds, each took
up his packs, purposing to depart away. And because
we would not go away without the young man our
fellow, the shepherds whistled and called for him by.
his name ; but when he gave no answer they feared
because of his long absence and sent one of their
company to seek him out, and to tell him that it was
now time to set forth on the journey with us. But he
after a while returned again with an ashen-pale face,
trembling, with strange and sorrowful news of his
fellow, saying that he saw him lying upon his back and
a terrible dragon eating and devouring him : and as for
the miserable old man, he could see him in no pl.uv.
When they heard this (remembering likewise the
words of the first old man that had warned them of
this and no other habitant of the place) they ran
away, beating us before them, to fly from this desert
and pestilent country. Then after we had very

379

LUCIUS APULEIUS

itinere confecto pagum quendam accedimus, ibique
totam perquiescimus noctem ; ubi coeptum facinus
oppido memorabile narrare cupio.

Servus quidam, cui cunctam familiae tutelara domi-
nus permiserat suus, quique possessionera maximam
illam, in quam deverteramus, villicabat, habens ex
eodem famulitio conservam coniugam, liberae cuius-
dara extrariaeque mulieris flagrabat cupidine. Quo
dolore paelicatus uxor eius instricta cunctas mariti
rationes et quicquid horreo reconditura continebatur
admoto combussit igne. Nee tali damno tori sui con-
tumeliam vindicasse contenta, iam contra sua saeviens
viscera laqueum sibi nectit infantulumque, quern de
eodem marito iamdudum susceperat, eodem funiculo
nectit seque per altissimum puteum, appendicem par-
vulum trahens praecipitat. Quam mortem dominus
eorum aegerrime sustinens arreptum servulum, qui
causam tanti sceleris uxori suae praestiterat, nudum
ac totum melle perlitum firmiter alligavit arbori ficul-
neae, cuius in ipso carioso stipite inhabitant! urn formi-
carum nidificia borribant et ultro citro commeabant
multiiuga scaturigine. Quae simul dulcem ac mel-
litum corporis nidorem persentiscunt, parvis quidem
sed numerosis et continuis morsiunculis penitus in-
haerentes, per longi temporis cruciatum ita, carnibus
atque ipsis visceribus adesis, homine consumpto mem-
bra nudarunt, ut ossa tantum viduata pulpis nitore
nirnio candentia funestae cohaererent arbori.
23 Hac quoque detestabili deserta mansione, paganos
380

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

quickly passed a great part of our journey we came
to a certain village, where we lay all ifight. But
hearken, and I will tell you a great and notable
mischief that happened there.

You shall understand that there was a servant to
whom his master had committed the whole govern-
ment of his house, and he was bailiff of the great lodg-
ing where we lay : this servant had married a maiden,
a fellow-slave of the same house, howbeit he burned
greatly for love of a free woman of another house.
Therewith was his wife so highly displeased and be-
came so jealous, that she gathered together all her hus-
band's substance, with his tallies and books of accounts,
and burned them with fire. She was not contented
•with this damage, nor thought that she had so avenged
the wrong done to her bed, but she took a cord, and
now raging against her own bowels, she bound her
child which she had by her husband about her middle
and cast herself headlong into a deep pit, carrying
her babe with her. The master, taking in evil part
the death of these twain, took his servant which had
made for his wife the cause of this murder, and after
that he had first put off all his apparel, he anointed
his body with honey, and then bound him sure to a
fig-tree, where in a rotten stock a great number of
pismires or ants had built their nests, and ran always
about in great multitudes like sprinkling water. The
pismires, after they had felt the savour and sweetness
of the honey, came upon his body, and by little and
little but unfailing gnawing, in continuance of time
with long torturing devoured all his flesh and his
vitals, in such sort that there remained on the fatal
tree nothing of his flesh but only his shining white
bones.

This was declared unto us by the inhabitants of

381

LUCIUS APULEIUS

in summo luctu relinquentes, rursum pergimus dieque
tola campestres emensi vias civitatem quandam popu-
losam et nobilem iam fessi pervenimus. Inibi Larem
sedesque perpetuas pastores illi statuere decernunt,
quod et longe a quaesituris firmae latebrae viderentur
et annonae copiosae beata celebritas invitabat.
Triduo denique iumentorum refectis corporibus, quo
vendibiliores videremur, ad mercatum producimur
magnaque voce praeconis pretia singulis nuntiantis
equi atque alii asini opulentis emptoribus praesti-
nantur; at me relictum solum ac subsecivum cum
fastidio plerique praeteribant. lamque taedio con-
trectationis eorum, qui de dentibus meis aetatem
computabantj manum cuiusdam faetore sordentenr,
qui gingivas identidem meas putidis scalpebat digitis,
mordicus arreptam plenissime conterui : quae res
circumstantium ab emptione mea utpote ferocissimi
deterruit animos. Tune praeco diruptis faucibus et
rauca voce saucius in meas fortunas ridiculos con-
struebat iocos: "Quern ad finem cantherium istum
venui frustra subiciemus, et vetulum et extritis
ungulis debilem et dolore deformem et in hebeti
pigritia ferocem nee quicquam amplius quam rude-
rarium cribrum ? Atque ideo vel donemus eura

382

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

the village there, who greatly sorrowed for this
servant : then we, avoiding likewise from this dread-
ful lodging, incontinently departed away, and for a
whole day travelled through the plain country, and
then we came very tired to a fair city very populous,
where our shepherds determined to make their home
and continue, by reason that it seemed a place where
they might live unknown, far from such as should
pursue them, and because it was a country very
plentiful of corn and other victuals. There when we
had remained the space of three days, and that I,
poor ass, and the other horses were fed and kept in
the stable to the intent we might seem more saleable,
we were brought out at length to the market, and
by and by a crier sounded with his horn to notify
that we were to be sold. All my companion horses
and the other asses were bought up by gentlemen,
but as for me I stood still forsaken, for that most
men passed me by with despight. And when many
buyers came by and handled me and looked at my
teeth in my mouth to know my age, I was so weary
with opening my jaws that at length (unable to
endure any longer) when one came with a stinking
pair of hands and grated my gums often with his
filthy fingers, I seized them and well nigh bit them
clean off, which thing caused the standers-by to for-
sake buying me, as being a fierce and cruel beast.
The crier when he had gotten a hoarse voice and
was well nigh burst with crying, and saw that no
man would buy me, began very scurrilously to mock
my evil fortune, saying: "To what end stand we
here to offer for sale this vile ass, this old feeble
beast, this slow jade with worn hoofs, made hideous
by his labours, idle save when he is vicious, and good
for nothing but to make sieves of his skin ? Why do

S8S

LUCIUS APULEIUS

cuipiam, si qui tamen faenum suum perdere non
gravatur."

24 Ad istum modum praeco ille cachinnos circum-
stantibus commovebat. Sed ilia fortuna mea
saevissima, quam per tot regiones iam fugiens
eft'ugere vel praecedentibus mails placare non potui,
rursum in me caecos detorsit oculos et emptorem
aptissimum duris meis casibus mire repertum obiecit.
Scitote qualem : cinaedum et senem cinaedum,
calvum quidem sed cincinnis semicanis et pendulis
capillatum, unum de triviali popularium faece, qui
per plateas et oppida cymbalis et crotalis personantes
deamque Syriam circumferentes mendicare com-
pellunt. Is nimio praestinandi studio praeconem
rogat cuiatis essem : at ille Cappadocum me et satis
forticulum denuntiat. Rursum requirit annos aetatis
meae : sed praeco lasciviens : " Mathematicus quidem
qui stellas eius disposuit, quintum ei numeravit
annum ; sed ipse scilicet melius istud de suis iiovit
professionibus. Quanquam enim prudens crimen
Corneliae legis incurram, si civem Romanum pro
servo tibi vendidero, quin emis bonum et frugi
mancipium, quod te et foris et domi poterit iuvare ? "
Sed exinde odiosus emptor aliud de alio non desinit
quaerere, denique de mansuetudine etiam mea

25 percontatur anxie. At praeco "Vervecem/' inquit
" Non asinum vides ad usus omnes quietum ; non
mordacem, nee calcitronem quidem sed prorsus ut in
asini corio modestum hominem inhabitare credas.
Quae res cognitu non ardua : nam si faciem tuam
384

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

we not give him to somebody, if there be any that it
shall irk not to find him his hay ? "

In this manner the crier made all the standers-by
to laugh exceedingly; but my evil fortune, which
was ever so cruel against me, whom I, by travel of
so many countries, could in no wise escape nor
appease the envy thereof by all the woes 1 had under-
gone, did more and more cast its blind and evil eyes
upon me, with invention of new means to afflict my
poor body, in giving me another master very fit for
my hard fate. Listen what man he was. There was
an old naughty man, somewhat bald, with long and
grey hair, one of the number of those of the lewdest
dregs of the people which go from door to door
throughout all the villages, bearing the image of
the Syrian goddess, and playing with cymbals and
bones, to get the alms of good and charitable folks.
This old man came hastily towards the crier, and
demanded where I was bred. '• Marry," quoth he,
" In Cappadocia : and he is very strong." Then he
enquired what age I was of, and the crier, jesting,
answered: "A mathematician, which disposed to m<
his planets, said that he was five years old; yet this doth
he know best himself from his own register public.
For I would not willingly incur the penalty of the
jaw Cornelia in selling a free citizen for a servile
slave, yet if you shall buy him you shall have a good
and useful chattel both at home and about the
country." But this cursed buyer did never stint to
question of my qualities, and at length he demanded
whether I were gentle or no : " Gentle ! " quoth the
crier, " As gentle as a lamb, tractable to all use : he
will never bite, he will never kick, but you would
rather think that under the shape of the ass there
were some well-advised man, which verily you may
2 B 385

LUCIUS APULEIUS

mediis eius feminibus iinmiseris, facile periclitaberis
quam grandem tibi demonstret patientiam."

Sic praeco lurchonem tractabat dicacule ; sed ille
cognito cavillatu, similis indignanti "Atte" inquit
" Cadaver surdum et mutum delirumque praeconem,
omnipotens et omniparens dea Syria et sanctus
Sabadius et Bellona et Mater Idaea, et cum suo
Adone Venus domina caecum reddant, qui scurrilibus
iamdudum contra me velitaris iocis. An me putas,
inepte, iumento fero posse deam committere, ut
turbatum repente divinum deiciat sumulacrum, ego-
que miser cogar crinibus solutis discurrere et deae
meae humi iacenti aliquem medicum quaerere ? "
Accepto tali sermone cogitabam subito velut lym-
phaticus exsilire,utme ferocitate cernens exasperatum
emptionem desineret. Sed praevenit cogitatum meum
emptor anxius pretio depenso statim, quod quidem
gaudens dominus scilicet taedio mei facile suscepit,
septemdecim denarium, et illico me tumicla spartea
deligatum tradidit Philebo : hoc enim nomine cense-
26 batur iam meus dominus. At ille susceptum novicium
famulum trahebat ad domum statimque illinc de
primo limine proclamat : " Puellae, servum vobis pul-
chellum en ecce mercata perduxi." Sed illae puellae
chorus erat cinaedorum, quae statim exultantes in
gaudium, fracta et rauca et effeminata voce clamores

386

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

easily conject ; for if you would thrust your nose in
his tail you shall perceive how patient he is."

Thus the crier wittily mocked the old rascal ; but
he, perceiving his taunts and jests, waxed very angry,
saying : " Away, doting crier, thou deaf and dumb
carrion, I pray the omnipotent and omniparent Syrian
goddess, Saint Sabadius, Bellona with the Idaean
mother, and Venus with her Adonis to strike out
both thine eyes that with taunting mocks hast
scoffed me in this sort. Dost thou think that I will
put a goddess upon the back of any fierce beast,
whereby her divine image should be thrown down
on the ground, and so I, poor wretch, should be
compelled (tearing my hair) to look for some physician
to help her as she lies fallen ? " When I heard him
speak this, I thought with myself suddenly to leap
up like a mad ass, to the intent he should not buy
me, thinking me very fierce ; but incontinently, like
an eager buyer, he prevented my thought, and would
lay down my price for me, even seventeen pence :
then my master was glad, being weary of me, and
receiving the money, delivered me by mine halter of
straw to my new master, who was called Philebus.
He carried his new servant home, and when he came
to the door of the house, he culled out his troop,
saying: "Behold, my daughter's,1 what a gentle
servant I have bought for you." Yet were these
daughters a band of lewd and naughty fellows, and
at first they were marvellous glad, prattling and
shouting for joy with their broken and harsh voices,
like a troop of women, in discordant sounds, and

l The feminine is ironically used for the effeminate crew of
priests. So in the Attis poem of Catullus (LXlii) the hero,
after his emasculation, speaks of himself in the femimm-
gender.

387

LUCIUS APULEIUS
absonosintollunt,rati scilicet vere quempiam hominem
servulum ministerio suo paratum. Sed postquam non
oervam pro virgine sed asinum pro homine succi-
daneum videre, nare detorta magistrum suum varie
cavillantur : non enim servum sed maritum ilium
scilicet sibi perduxisse : et " Heus " aiunt <e Cave
ne solus exedas tarn bellum scilicet pullulum, sed
nobis quoque tuis palumbulis nonnunquam im-
pertias."

Haec et huiusmodi mutuo blaterantes praesepio
me proximum deligant. Erat quidam iuvenis satis
corpulentus, choraula doctissimus, collaticia stipe de
raensa paratus, qui foris quidem circumgestantibus
deam cornu canens adambulabat, domi vero promiscui
operis partiarius agebat concubinus. Hie me simul
domi conspexit libenter, appositis largiter cibariis,
gaudens alloquitur : "Venisti tandem miserrimi laboris
vicarius : sed diu vivas et dominis placeas et meis
defectis iam lateribus consulas." Haec audiens iam
27 meas futuras novas cogitabam aerumnas. Die sequenti
Variis coloribus indusiati et deformiter quisque for-
raati, facie caenoso pigmento delita et oculis obunctis
graphice prodeunt, mitellis et crocotis et carbasinis
et bombycinis iniecti, quidam tunicas albas in modum
388

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VI if
thought verily that he had brought home a tit and
convenient servant for their purpose. Hut when
they perceived that it was not even an hind l instead
of a maiden, but rather a makeshift ass for a man.
they began to reprove him -with great scorn, saying
that he had not brought a servant for them, but
rather a stalling ass for himself. " Howbeit," quoth
they, " Keep this pretty beast not wholly for your
own delight, but let us, your darling doves, likewise
have him at commandment."

Therewithal babbling in this wise, they led me
into the stable, and tied me to the manger; and
there was a certain stout young man with a might v
body, well skilled in playing on flutes, whom they
had bought in a market with the money they had
collected; and he walked before their procession,
playing the horn when they carried round their
goddess, and at home he shared in all their labours
and they made great use of him. Now he, as soon as
he espied me, entertained me very well, for he filled
my rack and manger with meat, and spake merrily,
saying : " O master ass, you are welcome ; now you
shall take my office in hand : you are come to supply
my room, and to ease me of my miserable labour : 1
pray Godthou mayest long live and please my master
well, to the end thou mayest continually deliver my
weary sides from so great pain and labour." N\ lien
I heard his words, I did prognosticate my new mi-cry
to come. The day following I saw them apparelled
in divers colours, and hideously tricked out, havmi;-
their faces ruddled with paint, and their eyes tricked
out with grease, mitres on their heads, ve-,tmenl-
coloured like saffron, surplices of silk and linen : and
some ware white tunics printed with purple stripe-
l The usual reference to the story of Iphigenia.

889

LUCIUS APULEIUS

lanciolarum quoquoversum fluente purpura depletes
cingulo subligati, pedesluteisinduti calceis ; deamque
serico contectam amiculo mihi gerendam imponunt
brachiisque suis humero tenus renudatis, attollentes
immanes gladios ac secures, evantes exsiliunt incitante
tibiae cantu lymphaticum tripudium. Nee paucis
pererratis casulis ad quandam villam possessoris beati
perveniunt et ab ingressu primo statim absonis
ululatibus constrepentes fanatice pervolant, diuque
capite demisso cervices lubricis intorquentes motibus
crinesque pendulos in circulum rotantes, et nonnun-
quam morsibus suos incursantes musculos, ad postre-
mum ancipiti ferro quod gerebant sua quisque
brachia dissicant. Inter haec unus ex illis
bacchatur effusius ac de imis praecordiis an-
helitus crebros referens, velut numinis divino spiritu
repletus, simulabat sauciarn vecordiam, prorsus quasi
deum praesentia soleant homines non sui fieri me-
28 liores sed debiles effici vel aegroti. Specta denique
quale caelesti providentia meritum reportaverit.
Infit vaticinatione clamosa conficto mendacio semet
ipsum incessere atque criminari, quasi contra fas
sanctae religionis dissignasset aliquid et insuper
iustas poenas noxi facinoris ipse de se suis manibus
exposcere. Arrepto denique flagro, quod semiviris
illis proprium gestamen est, contortis taeniis lanosi
velleris prolixe fiinbriatum et multiiugis talis
ovium tesseratuni, indidem sese multinodis commulcat
390

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

that pointed every way like spears, girt with belts,
and on their feet were yellow shoes ; and they attired
the goddess in silken robe, and put her upon my
back. Then they went forth with their arms nakrd
to their shoulders, bearing with them great swords and
mighty axes, shouting and dancing like mad persons
to the sound of the pipe. After that we had passed
many small villages, we fortuned to come to a certain
rich man's house, where at our first entry they began
to howl all out of tune and hurl themselves hither
and thither, as though they were mad. They made
a thousand gests with their feet and their heads ;
they would bend down their necks and spin round so
that their hair Hew out in a circle ; they would bite
their own flesh ; finally, every one took his twy-
edged weapon and wounded his arms in divers places.
Meanwhile there was one more mad than the rest,
that fetched many deep sighs from the bottom of his
heart, as though he had been ravished in spirit, or
replenished with divine power, and he feigned a
swoon and frenzy, as if (forsooth) the presence of the
gods were not wont to make men better than before,
but weak and sickly. Mark then how by divine
providence he found a just and worthy recompense
after that he had somewhat returned to himself, he
invented and forged a great lie, noisily prophesying
and accusing and charging himself, saying that he
had displeased the divine majesty of the goddess by
doing of something which was not convcn .-il)U: to the
order of their holy religion, wherefore he prayr.i
that vengeance might be done of himself. And
therewithal he took a whip, such as is naturally
borne by these womanish men, with many twisted
knots and tassels of wool, and strung with sheep's
knuckle-bones, and with the knotted thongs scourged

391

LUCIUS APULEIUS

ictibus, mire contra plagarum dolores praesumptione
munitus. Cerneres prosectu gladiorum ictuque fla-
grorum solumspurcitia sanguinis effeminati madescere.
Quae res incutiebat mihi non parvam sollicitudinem
videnti tot vulneribus largiter profusum cruorem, ne
quo casu deae peregrinae stomachus, ut quorundam
hominum lactem, sic ilia sanguinem concupisceret
asiniiiuin. Sed ubi tandem fatigati, vel certe suo
laniatu satiati, pausam carnificinae dedere, stipes
aereas, immo vero et argenteas multis certatini
ofFerentibus, sinu recepere patulo neciion et vini
cadum et lactem et caseos et farris et siliginis aliquid,
et nonnullis hordeum deae gerulo donantibus. Avidis
mimis corradentes omniaet in sacculoshuic quaestui
de industria praeparatos farcientes dorso meo con-
gerunt, ut duplici scilicet sarcinae pondere gravatus,
et horreum simul et templum incederem.
29 Ad istum modum palantes omnern illam depraeda-
bantur regionem. Sed in quodam castello copia
laetati largioris quaesticuli gaudiales instruunt dapes :
a quodam colono fictae vaticinationis mendacio
pinguissimum deposcunt arietem, qui deam Syriam
esurientem suo satiaret sacrificio, probeque disposita
cenula balneas obeunt ac dehinc lauti quendam fortis-
simum rusticanum, industria laterum atque imis
ventris bene praeparatum, comitem cenae secum
adducunt paucisque admodum praegustatis olusculis,
ante ipsam mensam spurcissima ilia propudia ad
illicitae libidinis extrema flagitia infandis uriginibus
efferantur, passimque circumfusi nudatum supinatum-
que iuvenem execraudis oribus flagitabant. Nee diu

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

his own body very strong to bear the pain of the
blows, so that you might see the ground to be wet
and defiled with the womanish blood that issued out
abundantly with the cutting of the swords and the
blows of the scourge : which thing caused me greatly
to fear to see such wounds and effusion of blood, lest
the same foreign goddess should likewise desire the
blood of an ass for her stomach, as some men long for
ass's milk After they at last were weary, or at
least satisfied with rending themselves, they ceased
from this bloody business : and, behold, they received
from the inhabitants, who offered eagerly, into their
open bosoms copper coins, nay silver too, vessels of
wine, milk, cheese, flour and wheat ; and amongst
them there were some that brought barley to the ass
that carried the goddess : but the greedy whoresons
thrust all into their sacks which they brought for the
purpose, and put them upon my back, to the end I
might serve for two purposes, that is to say : for the
barn by reason of my corn, and for the temple by
reason of the goddess that I bare.

In this sort they went from place to place robbing
all the country over ; at length they came to a certain
town, purposing to make good cheer there, being
glad at a great gain they had gotten, where, under
colour of divination, they brought to pass that they
obtained a fat ram of a poor husbandman for the
goddess' supper, and to make sacrifice withal. After
that the banquet was richly prepared, they washed
their bodies, and brought in a lusty young man of
the village to sup with them ; and when he had
scarce tasted a few herbs before the supper they
began to discover their beastly customs and inordi-
nate desires. For they compassed him round about
as he sat, to abuse him, but when" mine eyes would

393

LUCIUS APULEIUS

tale facinus meis oculis tolerantibus " Porro Quirites "
proclamare gestivi, sed viduatum ceteris syllabis ac
litteris processit" O" tantum, sane clarum ac validum
et asino proprium sed inopportune plane tempore :
namque de pago proxumo complures iuvenes abactum
sibi noctu perquirentes asellum, nimioque studio
cuncta devorsoria scrutantes, intus aedium audito
ruditu meo, praedam absconditam latibulis aedium
ratij coram rem invasuri suam improvisi conferto
gradu se penetrant, palamque illos execrandas
foeditates obeuntes deprehendunt : iam iamque
vicinos undique percientes turpissirnam scaenam
patefaciunt, insuper ridicule sacerdotum purissimam
laudantes castimoniam.

30 Hac infamia consternati, quae per ora populi facile
dilapsa merito invisos ac detestabiles eos cunctis
effecerat, noctem ferme circa mediam collectis omni-
bus furtim castello facessunt, bonaque itineris parte
ante iubaris exortum transacta, iam die claro solitu-
dines avias nacti, multa secum prius collocuti accin-
gunt se meo funeri ; deaque vehiculo meo sublata et
humi reposita cunctis stramentis me renudatum ac de
quadam quercu destinatum flagro illo pecuinis ossibus
catenate verberantes paene ad extremam confecerant
mortem. Fuit unus qui poplites meos enervare secure
sua comminaretur, quod de pudore illo candido scili-
cet suo tarn deformiter triumphassem : sed ceteri non
meae salutis sed simulacri iacentis contemplatione in
vita me retinendum censuere. Rursum itaque me
394

THE GOLDEN ASS, &OOK VIl!

not long bear to behold this horrible fact, I could not
but attempt to utter myinind and say, "O masters,"
but I could pronounce no more but the first letter "O,"
which I roared out very clearly and valiantly and like
an ass; but at a time inopportune, for some youin:
men of the town, seeking for a stray ass that thev
had lost the same night, and searching diligently all
the inns, heard my voice within the house ; whereby
they judged that I had been theirs, but concealed in
a hidden place, and resolving to manage their own
business, they entered altogether unawares, and found
these persons committing their vile abomination.
This when they saw they called all the neighbour-
ing inhabitants and declared to them their unnatural
villainy, mocking and laughing at this the pure and
clean chastity of these priests. " Then they, ashamed
at the report which was dispersed throughout all the
/egion there of their beastly wickedness, so that they
were justly hated and despised of all, about midnight
brought together all their trumpery and departed
away from the town. When we had passed a good
part of our journey before the rising of the sun, and
were now come into a wide desert in the broad day,
they conspired much together to slay me. For after
they had taken the goddess from my back and set
her gingerly upon the ground, they likewise took off
all my harness and bound me surely to an oak, and
then beat me with that whip which was knotted with
sheep's bones, in such sort that they had well nigh
killed me. Amongst them there was one that
threatened to cut my hamstrings with his hatchet,
because by my noise I had so famously hurt his pure
chastity ; but the others, regarding more the image
that lay upon the ground than my sat. ty, thought
best to spare my life; and so they laded me again,

395

LUCIUS APULEIUS

refertum sarcinis planis gladiis minantes perveniunt
ad quandam nobilem civitatem. Inibi vir principalis
et alias religiosus et eximie deam reverens, tinnitu
cjmbalorum et sonu tympanorum cantusque Phrygii
mulcentibus modulis excitus, procurrit obviam, deam-
que votivo suscipiens hospitio nos omnes intra con-
saeptum domus amplissimae constituit, numenque
summa veneratione atque hostiis opimis placare con-
tendit.

31 Hie ego me potissimum capitis periclitatum rne-
mini. Nam quidam colonus pattern venationis, im-
manis cervi pinguissimum femus, domino illi suo
muneri misei'at, quod incuriose pone culinae fores
non altiuscule suspensum canis adaeque venaticus
latenter invaserat, laetusque praeda propere custo-
dientes oculos evaserat. Quo damno cognito suaque
reprehensa neglegentia cocus diu lamentatus lacrimis
inefficacibus, iam iamque domino cenam flagitante
maerens et utcunque metuens altius, filio suo par-
vulo consalutato arreptoque funiculo, mortem sibi
nexu laquei comparabat. Nee tamen latuit fidam
uxorem eius casus extremus mariti, sed funestum no-
dum violenter invadens manibus ambabus " Adeone "
inquit " Praesenti malo perterritus mente excidisti
tua, nee fortuitum istud remedium, quod deum pro-
videntia subministrat, intueris? Nam si quid in
ultimo fortunae turbine resipiscis, expergite mi aus-
culta et advenam istum asinum remote quodam loco
deductum iugula, femusque eius ad similitudinem
396

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII
driving me before them with their naked swords
they came to a noble city. There the principal
patron, who was in every way a man very religious
and especially bearing high reverence unto the'
goddess, came in great devotion to meet us when
he heard our tinkling cymbals and tapping drums
and the soft strain of the Phrygian music, and re-
ceived her and all our company as a pious host into
his great house, and he hastened with much sacrifice
and veneration to appease her godhead.

But there, I remember, I thought myself in most
danger of all my life ; for there was one that brought
venison to the master of the house, a side of a fat
buck, for a present ; which being hanged carelessly
behind the kitchen door, not far from the ground,
was clean eaten up by a hunting greyhound that
came in, who, joyful to have gotten his prey, escaped
the eyes of them that watched. The cook, when he
saw the venison devoured, reproving his own negli-
gence, lamented and wept to no purpose, and because
supper-time approached nigh, when his master should
now call for the meat, he sorrowed and feared greatly ;
and bidding farewell to his little child, he took a
halter to hang himself; but his good wife, perceiving
whereabout he went, ran incontinently to him, and
taking the deadly halter in both her hands stopped
him of his purpose, saying : " O husband, are you
out of your wits with this present trouble ? What
intend you to do ? See you not a chance remedy
before your eyes ministered unto you by divine
providence ? I pray you, husband, if you have any
sense left in this storm of fortune, listen attentively
to my counsel : carry this strange ass out into some
secret place and kill him ; which done, cut off one of
his sides, and sauce it well like the side of the buck,

397

LUCIUS APULE1US

perditi detraction et accuratius in protrimentis sapi-
dissime percoctum appone domino cervini vicem."
Nequissimo verberoni sua placuit salus de mea morte,
et multum conservae laudata sagacitate destinatae
iara lanienae cultros acuebat.

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK VIII

and set it before your master in place thereof." Then
the naughty rascal, the cook, was well pleased to slay
me, to save himself, and praised greatly the shrewd
counsel of his wife ; and to bring his purpose to pass,
he went to the whetstone to sharp his tools accord-
ingly for the butchery he had promised.

399

LIBER IX

1 Sic ille nequissimus carnifex contra me mantis Smpias
obarmabat, at ego, praecipitante consilium periculi
tanti praesentia nee expectata diutina cogitatione,
lanienam immiiientem fuga vitare statui ; protinus-
que vinculo, quo fueram deligatus, abrupto, cursu
me proripio totis pedibus, ad tutelam salutis crebris
calcibus velitatus ; illicoque me, raptim transcursa
proxima porticu, triclinio, in quo dominus aedium
sacrificales epulas cum sacerdotibus deae cenitabat,
incunctanter immitto nee pauca rerum apparatus
cibarii, mensas etiam x impetu meo collido atque
disturbo. Qua rerum deformi strage paterfamilias
commotus, ut importunum atque lascivum me cui-
dam famulo curiose traditum certo aliquo loco clau-
sum iubet cohiberi, ne rursum convivium placidum
simili petulantia dissiparem. Hoc astutulo commento
scitule munitus et mediis lanii manibus ereptus cus-
todela salutaris mihi gaudebam carcerisr

Sed nimirum nihil Fortuna renuente licet homini
nato dexterum pro venire, nee consilio prudent! vel
remedio sagaci divinae providentiae fatalis dispositio
subvert! vel reformari potest. Mihi denique id ip-
sum commentum, quod momentariam salutem rep-
perisse videbatur, periculum grande, immo praesens

l In the best MSS after the word etiam a word which looks
like gen has been erased. It has been suggested by Helm
that geniales, "cheerful," should be supplied.

400

ix

IN this manner the traitorous cook prepared himself
to slay me : and when he was ready with his knives
to do his feat, I devised with myself how I might
escape the present peril, and I did not long delay,
for incontinently I brake the halter wherewith 1 was
tied, I dashed forth at full speed, and flinging my
heels hither and thither, at length to save myself 1
ran hastily through a passage that was near, burst
into a parlour where the master of the house was
feasting after the sacrifice with the priests, and
disquieted all the company, throwing down their
meats and drinks and even the table itself. The
master of the house, dismayed at my great disorder,
strictly commanded one of his servants to take me
up as a savage and wanton ass, and lock me in some
strong place to the end I might disturb them no
more ; but I regarded my imprisonment as my
safety, considering that by my clever colouring and
deceit I was happily delivered from the hands of
the traitorous cook.

Howbeit, if fortune be opposite, nothing may
prosper a man, nor may the fatal disposition of the
divine providence be avoided or changed by wise
counsel, nor by any wholesome remedy: for that very
deceit, whidh seemed to have found for me safety
for the moment, brought upon me a grievous danger,
nay well nigh utter destruction : for by and by, as
2c 401

LUCIUS APULEIUS

exitium conflavit aliud. Nam quidam subito puer
mobili ac trepida facie percitus, ut familiares inter
se susurrabant, irrumpit triclinium suoque annuntiat
domino de proxumo angiportu canemrabidam paulo
ante per posticam impetu miro sese direxisse ardenti-
que prorsus furore venaticos canes invasisse, ac
dehinc proxumum petisse stabulum atque ibi plera-
que iumenta incurrisse pari saevitia, jnec postremum
saltern ipsis homimbus pepercisse : nam Myrtilum
mulioneui et Hephaestionem cocum et Hypatarium
cubicularium et Apollonium medicum, immo vero
et plures alios ex familia abigere temptantes variis
niorsibus quemque lacerasse, certe venenatis mor-
sibus contacta nomiulla iumeuta efi'erari simili rabie.
Quae res omnium statini percussit animos, ratique me
etiam eadem peste infectum ferocire, arreptis cuiusce-
modi telis mutuoque ut exitium commune protelarent
cohortati, ipsi potius eodem vesaniae morbo labor-
antes persequuntur. Nee dubio me lanceis illis vel
venabulis, immo vero et bipennibus, quae facile
famuli subministraverant, membratim compilassent,
ni respecto subiti periculi turbine cubiculum, in quo
mei domini devertebant, protinus irrupissem. Tune
clausis obseratisque super me foribus obsidebant
locum, quoad sine ullo congressionis suae periculo
pestilentiae letalis pervicaci rabie possessus ac pere-
sus absumerer : quo facto tandem libertatem nanctus,
solitariae fortunae munusamplexus, super constratuui

102

3 t

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

they were familiarly whispering together, a lad came
running into the parlour, all trembling and fearful in
his countenance, and declared to the master of the
house that a mad dog had run in from the next lane
and had rushed furiously into the back gate ; which
had done much harm, for he had bitten many grey-
hounds and thence had entered the stable and had
with like savagery attacked most of the beasts ; nor
finally had he spared men, for there was one Myrtilus
a muleteer, Hephaestion a cook, Hypatarius a cham-
berlain, and Apollonius a physician, nay many more,
who (thinking to chase away the mad dog) were
cruelly bitten by him ; and, indeed, many horses and
other beasts had been infected with the venom of
his poisonous teeth and become mad likewise. This
thing caused them all at the table greatly to fear,
and thinking that I had been made mad by being
bitten and was mad in like sort, they snatched up all
manner of weapons and came out exhorting one
another so to keep off the common destruction of
all, themselves rather a prey to the same disease of
madness. Verily, with their spears, clubs, and pitch-
forks, which their servants easily found for them,
they had torn me limb from limb, had I not by and
by observed the storm of sudden danger and crept
into a chamber, where my masters intended to lodge
that night. Then they closed and locked fast the
doors about me, and kept the chamber round, till
such time as they thought that they would not
have to meet me in battle and the pestilent
rage of madness should have killed me. Now
when I was thus shut in the chamber, I had at
last gained my liberty, and taking the gift that
fortune had sent me, to be alone, I laid me
down upon the bed to sleep, considering it was

403

LUCIUS APULEIUS

lectum abiectus post multum equidem temporis som-
num humanum quievi.

3 lamque clara die, mollitie cubiculi refota lassi-
tudine, vegetus exsurgo atque illos, qui meae tutelae
pervigiles excubias agitaverant, ausculto de meis sic
altercare fortunis : " Adhuccine miserum istum asi-
num iugi furore iactari credimus ? Immo vero iam
virus increscente saevitia prorsus extinctum." Sic
opinionis variae terminum ad explorationem con-
ferunt ac de rima quadam prospiciunt sanum me
atque sobrium otiose consistere : iamque ultro fori-
bus patefactis plenius an iam sim mansuefactus peri-
clitantur. Sed unus ex his, de caelo scilicet missus
mihi sospitator, argumentum explorandae sani-
tatis meae tale commonstrat ceteris, ut aquae re-
centis completam pelvem offerrent potui meo, ac
si intrepidus et more solito sumens aquis allibe-
scerem, sanum me atque omni morbo scirent expedi-
tum : contra vero si visum contactumque laticis vita-
rem ac perh orrescerem, pro comperto noxiam rabiem
4 pertinaciter durare : hoc enim libris etiam pristinis
proditum observari solere. Isto placito vas immane
confestim aquae pellucidae de proxumo petitae fonte
cunctantes adhuc offerunt mihi : at ego sine ulla
mora progressus etiam obvio gradu satis sitienter pro-
nus.et totum caput inferens salutares vere equidem
illas aquas hauriebam. lamque et plausus manuum et
aurium flexus et ductum capistri et quidvis aliud peri-
404

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

long time past since 1 lay and took my rest as a
man doth.

When morning was come, and that I was well
reposed by the softness of the bed, I rose up lustily.
In the mean season I heard them which watched
about the chamber all night reason with themselves
in this sort : " Verily," quoth one, " I think the ass
be still raving." "So think not," quoth another,
" For the outrageous poison of madness hath killed
him." But being thus in divers opinions, they
determined to put them to the test and looked
through a crevice, and espied me standing still, sober
and quiet, in the middle of the chamber ; and then
they opened the doors and came towards me to prove
whether I were gentle or no. Amongst whom there
was one, which in my opinion was sent from heaven
to save my life, that put forward a proof to see
whether I were sane : and he willed the others to
set a basin of fair water before me, and thereby they
should know whether I were mad or no, for if I did
drink without fear, as I accustomed to do, it was a
sign that I was whole and free of all disease, where
contrary if 1 did fly and abhor the sight and taste of
the water, it was an evident proof of my continued
madness ; which thing he said that he had read in
ancient and credible books. Whereupon they agreed
thereto and took a basin of clear water from a spring-
hard by and presented it before me, hesitating and
delaying still; but I, as soon as I perceived the
wholesome water of my salvation, ran incontinently
and, thrusting my head into the basin, drank all th;it
water, that was truly water of salvation to me, as
though I had been greatly athirst. Then did
suffer them to stroke me with their hands, and to
bow my ears, and to take me by the halter and aught

405

LUCIUS APULEIUS

clitantium placide patiebar, quoad contra vesanam
eorum praesumptionem modestiam meam liquido
cunctis approbarem. Ad istum modum vitato duplici
periculo, die sequenti rursum divinis exuviis onustus
cum crotalis et cymbalis circumforaneum mendica-
bulum producor ad viam. Nee paucis casulis atque
castellis oberratis devertimus ad quempiam pagum
urbis opulentae quondam, ut memorabant incolae,
inter semiruta vestigia conditum, et hospitio proxumi
stabuli recepti cognoscimus lepidam de adulterio
cuiusdam pauperis fabulam, quam vos etiam cogno-
scatis volo.

5 Is gracili pauperie laborans fabriles operas prae-
bendo par vis illis mercedibus vitam tenebat. Erat ei
tamen uxorcula etiam, satis quidem tenuis et ipsa,
verum tamen postrema lascivia famigerabilis. Sed
die quadam dum matutino ille ad opus susceptum
proficiscitur, statim latenter irrepit eius hospitium
temerarius adulter : ac dum Veneris colluctationibus
securius operantur, maritus ignarus rerum ac nihil
etiam turn tale suspicans improvisus hospitium repetit.
lamque clausis et obseratis foribus uxoris laudata
continentia ianuam pulsat, sibilo etiam praesentiam
suam denuntiante : tune mulier callida et ad huius-

l Vesana praesumptio has a double meaning which it is
not easy to render into English. Lucius had stated above

406

THE GOI,DFAT ASS, BOOK IX

else that they dared, so that I might, by taking each
thing in good part, disprove their mad presumption l
by my meekness and gentle behaviour. When I was
thus delivered from this double danger, the next day
I was laded again with the trappings of the goddess
and other trumpery, and was brought out into the
way with rattles and cymbals, to beg in the villages
which we passed by according to our custom. And
after that we had gone through a few hamlets and
castles, we fortuned to come to a certain village,
which was builded (as the inhabitants there affirmed)
among the ruined foundations of a famous and
ancient city. And after that we had turned into the
next inn, we heard of a pretty jest committed in the
town there, in the matter of the cuckoldry of a
certain poor man, which I would that you should
know likewise.

There was a man dwelling in the town, very poor,
that had naught to live upon but that which he got
by his labour as a smith and the travail of his hands :
his wife too was very poor, but known to be lascivious
and exceeding given to the desire of the flesh. Now
it fortuned on a day that while this man was gone
betimes in the morning about his business, according
as he accustomed to do, his wife's lover secretly came
into his house to have his pleasure with her. And
so it chanced that during the time that he and she
were busking together, her husband, suspecting no
such matter, returned suddenly home praising the
chaste continency of his wife,in that he found hisdoors
fast locked and closed ; wherefore, as his custom was,
he whistled to declare his coming home. Thru his

(ch. 2) that his pursuers were so much excited that they
seemed mad themselves, but it also has the idea of '• their
presumption of my madness."

407

LUCIUS APULEIUS

modi flagitia perastutula tenacissimis amplexibus
expeditum hominem dolio, quod erat in angulo
sevniobrutum sed alias vacuum, dissimulanter abscon-
dit, et patefactis aedibus adhuc introeuntem maritum
aspero sermone accipit : " Siccine vacuus et otiosus
iusinuatis manibusambulabis mihi nee obito consueto
labore vitae iiostrae prospicies et aliquid cibatui
parabis ? At ego misera pernox et per diem lanificio
nervos meos contorqueo, ut intra cellulam nostram
saltern lucernu luceat. Quanto me felicior Daphne
yicina, quae mero et prandio matutino saucia cum
6 suis adulteris volutatur ! " Sic confutatus maritus
" Et quid istic est ? " ait " Nam licet forensi negotio
officinator noster attentus ferias nobis fecerit, tamen
hodiernae cenulae nostrae prospexi. Vides istud
dolium, quod semper vacuum frustra locum detinet
tantum et revera praeter impedimentum conversa-
tionis nostrae nihil praestat amplius ? Istud ego
quinque denariis cuidam venditavi ; et adest, ut dato
pretio secum rem suam ferat. Quin itaque prae-
cingeris mihique manum tantisper accommodas, ut
exobrutum protinus tradatur emptori." E re nata
fallacia, mulier temerarium tollens cachinnum
"Magnum" inquit " Istum virum ac strenuum
negotiatorem nacta sum, qui rem, quam ego mulier
et intra hospitium contenta iamdudum septem
denariis vendidi, minoris distraxit." Additamentb
pretii laetus maritus " Et quis est ille," ait " Qui
tanto praestinavit ? " At ilia " Olim, inepte," inquit

408

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

crafty wife, ready with present shifts, loosed her lover
from her embrace and hid him in a great tub standing
in a corner, and it was very ruinous and dirty, but
empty withal ; and then she opened the door, blaming
her husband in this sort : " Comest thou home so every
day empty with thy hands wrapt in thy cloke ?
And bringest nothing by thy accustomed labour to
maintain our house ? Thou hast no regard for our
profit, neither providest for any meat or drink,
whereas I, poor wretch, do nothing day and night but
wear my sinews with spinning, and yet my travail
will scarce find the candles to lighten our hut. O
how much more happy is my neighbour Daphne, that
eateth and drinketh at her pleasure, and well foxed
passeth the time with her amorous lovers according
to her desire." "What is the matter?" quoth her
husband, much grieved at that she said, " Though our
master hath business in the market and hath made
holiday for us, yet think not but that I have made
provision for our supper this day ; dost thou not see
this tub that keepeth a place here in our house in
vain, and doth us no service save to hinder us in our
coming and going ? Behold I have sold it to a good
fellow (that now cometh) for five pence, and he will
pay the money and carry it away. Wherefore I
pray thee lend me thy hand that I may mend it
and take it up and deliver him the tub." His wife
(having invented a present shift) laughed boldly on
her husband, saying : " What a notable and goodly
merchant have I gotten in you, to fetch away my
tub for so little for which I, poor woman that
sit all day alone in my house, have been proffered
long ago seven pence ! " Her husband, being well
pleased at the greater price, demanded what he was
that would give so much. "Look, fool," quoth

40J)

LUCIUS APULEIUS

" Descendit in dolium sedulo soliditatem eius pro-
baturus."

7 Nee ille sermoni mulieris defuit sed exsurgens ala-
criter "Vis" inquit " Verum scire, materfamilias ?
Hoc tibi dolium nimis vetustum est et multifariam
rimis hiantibus quassum " ; ad maritumque eius dis-
simulaiiter conversus " Quin tu, quicunque es
homuncio, lucernam" ait " Actutum mihi expedis,
ut erasis intrinsecus sordibus diligenter an aptum
usui possim dinoscere, nisi nos putas aes de malo
habere ? " Xec quicquam moratus ac suspicatus
acer et egregius ille maritus, accensa lucerna, " Dis-
cede," inquit " Frater, et otiosus assiste, donee probe
procuratum istud tibi repraesentem/' et cum dicto
nudatus ipse, delate lumine, scabiem vetustam
cariosae testae occipit exculpere. At vero adultetj
bellissimus ille pusio, inclinatam dolio pronam uxorem
fabri superincurvatus secure dedolabat. Ast ilia
capite in dolium demisso maritum suum astu
meretricio tractabat ludicre : hoc et illud et aliud et
rursus aliud purgandum demonstrat digito suo, donee
utroque opere perfecto, acceptis septem denariis,
calaniitosus faber collo suo gerens dolium coactus est
ad hospitium adulteri perferre.

8 Pauculis ibi diebus commorati et munificentia
publica saginati vaticinationisque crebris mercedibus
suffareinati purissimi illi sacerdotes novum quaestus
genus sibi comminiscuntur. Sorte unica pro casibus l

i Casibus is the emendation of the Dutch editors Oolvius
and Oudendorp for the MSS' meaningless casulis.

410

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

she, f< He is gone under to see where it be sound
or no."

Then her lover, which was under the tub, began to
stir that his words might agree to the words of the
woman, and said : " Dame, will you have me tell the
truth ? This tub is old and rotten and cracked as
meseemeth on every side." And then he turned
himself to her husband, colouring the matter and
saying : " I pray, honest man, whoever you be, light
a candle that I may make the tub clean within, to
see if it be for my purpose or no, for I do not mind
to cast away my money wilfully." This clever
husband by and by, suspecting nothing, delayed not
to light a candle, saying : " I pray you, good brother,
put not yourself to so much pain, but stand by and
let me make the tub clean and ready for you " ;
whereupon he put off his coat and took the light and
crept under the tub to rub away the old filth from
the sides. In the mean season the minion lover cast
his wife on the bottom of the tub, and had his
pleasure with her over his head, and she, like the
very harlot that she was, played a merry prank upon
her husband ; for as she was in the midst of her
pastime, she turned her head on this side and that
side, shewing now this and now that to be cleansed,
till as they had both ended their business, and then
he delivered seven pence for the tub : and then the
poor smith must himself carry it on his back to the
lover's lodging.

After that we had tarried there a few days at the
cost and charges of the whole village, and had gotten
much money by our divination and prognostication
of things to come, those good priests invented a new
mean to pick men's purses ; for they had one lot
whereon was written this cheating answer, which

411

LUCIUS APULEIUS

pluribus enotata consulentes de rebus variis plurimos
ad hunc modum cavillantur. Sors haec erat :

Ideo coniuncti terram prescind unt boves,
ut in futurum laeta germinent sata.

Turn si qui matrimonium forte coaptantes inter-
rogarent, rem ipsam responderi aiebant, iungendos
connubio et satis liberum procreandis. Si possessiones
praestinaturus quaereret, merito boves ut et iugum
et arva sementis florentia pronuntiari. Si qui de
profectione sollicitus divinum caperet auspicium,
iunctos iani paratosque quadripedum cunctorum
mansuetissimos etlucrum promitti de glebae germine.
Si proelium capessiturus vel latronum factionem
persecuturus utiles necne process us sciscitaretur,
addictam victoriam forti praesagio contendebant,
quippe cervices hostium iugo subactum iri et
praedam de rapinis uberrimam fructuosamque captum
iri.

Ad istum modum divinationis astu captioso cor-

9 raserant non parvas pecunias, sed assiduis interroga-

tionibus argumenti satietate iam defecti, rursum ad

viam prodeunt, via tota quam nocte confeceramus

longe peiorem. Quidni ? Lacunosis incilibus voragi-

1 Adlington has here a marginal note, " So used feigned
Egyptians of late years in England," and the practice of the
trade has not varied since his time. Adlingtoij did not

412

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
they gave for every enquiry ; and it was : « The oxen
tied and yoked together : do plough the ground to the
intent it may bring forth her increase." 1 And by these
kind of lots they deceived many of the simple sort :
for if one had demanded whether he should have a
good wife or no, they would say that his lot did
testify the same, that he should be tied and yoked
to a good woman and have increase of children : if
one demanded whether he should buy lands and
possessions, they said that there was much reason
in the mentioning of the oxen and the yoke, which
foretold that he should have much ground that
should yield his increase : if one demanded the
advice of heaven whether he should have a good and
prosperous voyage, they said he should have good
success because that now these gentlest of beasts
were joined together and ready to go, and that of
the increase of the soil should be his profit : if one
demanded whether he should vanquish his enemies,
or prevail in pursuit of thieves, they said that the
oracle foretold victory, for that his enemies' necks
should be brought under the yoke, and that a rich
and fertile gain should be gotten from the thieves'
booty.

Thus by the telling of fortunes so cleverly and
cunningly they gathered a great quantity of money ;
but when they were weary with giving of answers,
they drove me away before them the next night,
through a lane which was more dangerous and stony
than the way which we had gone before ; for it was
full of deep and gaping holes, sometimes wet with

attempt a poetical version of the lines. I may perhaps quote
that of the late Dean Farrar :

"The patient oxen plough the soil.
And harvests rich repay their toil."

413

LUCIUS APULEIUS

nosam, partim stagnant! palude fluidam et alibi sub-
luvie caenosa lubricam. Crebris denique offensaculis
et assiduis lapsibus iam contusis cruribus meis vix tan-
dem ad campestres semitas fessus evadere potui. Et
ecce nobis repente de tergo manipulus armati super-
currunt equites, aegreque cohibita equorum curriculi
rabiej Philebum ceterosque comites eius involant
avidi colloque constricto et sacrileges impurosque
compellantes interdum pugnis obverberant, necnoii
manicis etiam cunctos coartaiit et identidem urgenti
sermone com prim unt, promerent potius aureum can-
tharum, promerent auctoramentum illud sui sceleris,
quod simulatione sollemnium, quae in operto facti-
taverant, ab ipsis pulvinaribus matris deum clanculo
furati, prorsus quasi possent tanti facinoris evadere
supplicium tacita profectione, adhuc luce dubia
10 pomerium 'pervaserint. Nee defuit qui, manu super
dorsum meum iniecta, in ipso deae quam gerebam
gremio scrutatus, repperiret atque incoram omnium
aureum depromeret cantharum. Nee isto saltern
tarn nefario scelere impuratissima ilia capita con-
futari terrerive potuere, sed mendacioso risu cavil-
lantes, " En " inquiunt " Indignae rei scaevitatem,
qua plerumque insontes periclitantur homines ! Prop-
ter unicum caliculum, quern deum mater sorori suae
deae Syriae hospitale munus obtulit, noxios reli-
gionis antistites ad discrimen vocari capitis ! " Haec
414

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

quagmires and foggy marshes, and sometimes very
slippery with mud and filth, whereby my legs failed
me with often stumbling and falling, in such sort
that I could scarce come wearily and with bruised
legs to the plain field-paths. And behold by and by
from behind a great company of the inhabitants of
the town, armed with weapons and on horseback,
overtook us, hardly pulling up the horses of their
car, for they galloped furiously, they incontinently
arrested Philebus and his priests, and tied them by
the necks and beat them cruelly, calling them sacri-
legious thieves and vile robbers, and after that they
had manacled their hands they urged them furiously
again and again : " Shew us," quoth they, " The cup
of gold, the temptation of your crime, which you
have taken privily away from the very shrine of the
Mother of the gods, under the colour of your solemn
religion, which you must needs perform secretly shut
up in her temple ; and now you think to escape in
the night without punishment for your deed, leaving
the boundaries of town and setting secretly forth
before it be yet light." By and by one came towards
me, and thrusting his hand into the bosom of the
goddess which I bare, found and brought out before
them all the cup which they had stole : howbeit, for
all their robbery which appeared evident and plain,
those accursed and vile creatures would not be con-
founded or abashed, but, jesting and laughing out the
matter, began to say : " Is it reason, masters, that
you should thus rigorously intreat us, as often befalls
innocent men, and threaten to bring the faithful
priests of religion into danger of death for a small
trifling cup, which the Mother of the gods deter-
mined to give to her sister for a present?" How-
beit, for all their lies and cavillations, they were

415

LUCIUS APULEIUS

et alias similes afannas frustra blaterantes eos re-
trorsus abducunt pagani statimque vinctos in Tul-
lianum compingunt cantharoque et ipso simulacro,
quod gerebam, apud fani donarium redditis ac con-
secratis, altera die productum me rursum voce prae-
conis venui subiciunt septemque nummis carius, quam
prius me comparaverat Philebus, quidam pistor de
proximo castello praestinavit, protinusque fru-
mento etiam coemto affatim onustum per iterarduum
scrupis et cuiuscemodi stirpibus infestum ad pistri-
num, quod exercebat, perducit.

Ibi complurium iumentorum multivii circuitus in-
torquebant molas ambage varia ; nee die tantum,
verum perpeti etiam nocte prorsus instabili machina-
rum vertigine lucubrabant pervigilem farinam. Sed
mihi, ne rudimentum servitii perhorrescerem scilicet,
novus dominus loca lautia prolixe praebuit : nam et
diem primum ilium feriatum dedit et cibariis abun-
danter instruxit praesepium. Nee tamen ilia otii
saginaeque beatitudo duravit ulterius, sed die se-
quenti molae, quae maxima videbatur, matutinus
adstituor et illico velata facie propeller ad incurva
spatia flexuosi canalis, ut in orbe termini circum-
fluentis reciproco gressu mea recalcans vestigia
vagarer errore certo. Nee tamen sagacitatis ac
prudentiae meae prorsus oblitus facilem me tiro-
cinio disciplinae praebui sed, quamquam frequenter,
cum inter homines agerem, raachinas similiter cir-
cumrotari vidissem, tamen, ut expers et ignarus
operis, stupore mentito defixus haerebam, quod
enim rebar ut minus aptum et huiusmodi ministerio

416

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
carried back to the town and put in prison by the
inhabitants, who, taking the cup of gold and the
image of the goddess which I bare, did put and con-
secrate them amongst the treasure of the temple.
The next day I was carried to the market to be sold
by the voice of the crier, and again my price was set ;
but I was sold at seven pence more than Philebus
gave for me. There fortuned to pass by a baker of
the next village, who, after that he had bought a
great deal of corn, bought me likewise to carry it
home, and when he had well laded me therewith, he
drove me through a stony and dangerous way to his
bakehouse.

There I saw a great company of horses that went
round and round in the mill turning the stones and
grinding of corn : and not by day only, but at night
also they must needs still work at the mill and make
flour in those engines that never stood still : but lest
I should be discouraged at the first, my master enter-
tained me well in a luxurious place ; for the first day
I had a holiday and did nothing but fare daintily at
a full manger. Howbeit, such mine ease and felicity
did not long endure ; for the next day following I
was tied to the greatest mill (as it seemed to me)
betimes in the morning with my face covered, and
placed in a small path of a circle to the end in turn-
ing and winding so often one way I might keep a
certain course and tread in my own path again and
again. ^ But 1 forgat not my wisdom and careful
prudence so as to lend myself too easily to the
new labour, for although when I was a man I had
seen many such horse-mills, and knew well enough
how they should be turned, yet feigning myself
ignorant of such kind of toil I stood still and
would not go, whereby I thought I should be taken
2D 417

LUCIUS APULEIUS

satis inutilera me ad alium quempiam, utique levi-
orem laborem legatum iri, vel otiosum certe ciba-
tum iri. Sed frustra sollertiam damnosam exercui :
complures enim protinus baculis arraati me circum-
steterunt atque, ut eram luminibus obtectis securus
etiamnunc, repente signo dato et clamore conferto
plagas ingerentes acervatim, adeo me strepitu turbu-
lentant, ut cunctis consiliis abiectis illico scitissime
taeniae sparteae totus innixus discursus alacres obi-
12rem: at subita sectae commutatione risum toto
coetu commoveram.

lamque maxima diei parte transacta defectum alio-
quin me,helcio sparteo dimoto, nexu machinae libera-
tum applicant praesepio. At ego quamquam eximie
fatigatus et refectione virium vehementer indiguus
et prorsus fame perditus, tamen familiari curiositate
attonitus et satis anxius, postposito cibo qui copio-
sus aderat, inoptabilis officinae disciplinam cum de-
lectatione quadam arbitrabar. Dii boni ! Quales illic
homunculi vibicibus lividis totam cutem depicti dor-
sumque plagosum scissili centunculo magis inumbrati
quam obtecti, nonnulli exiguo tegili tanturn modo
pubem iniecti, cuncti tamen sic tu::!cati ut essent
per pannulos manifest!, frontes litterati et capillum
seinirasi et pedes annulati, turn lurore deformes et
fumosis tenebris vaporosae caliginis palpebras adesi
atque adeo male luminati, et in modum pugilum,

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

from the mill as an ass unapt, and put to some
other lighter labour, or else to be driven into the
fields to pasture : but my subtlety did me small
profit, for by and by when the mill stood still, the
many servants came about me armed with sticks,
whereas I suspected nothing, mine eyes being
covered, and suddenly when a sign was given they
cried out and plentifully beat me forward, in such
sort that I could not stay to advise myself, because
of the sudden attack and noise, but leaned sturdily
against my rope and went briskly on my appointed
path ; whereby all the company laughed to see so
sudden a change.

When a good part of the day was past, so that 1
was not able to endure any longer, they took oft' mv
harness, and tied me to the manger; but although
my bones were weary, and that I needed to refresh
myself with rest and provender, being utterly dead
with hunger, yet I was so curious and anxious also,
that I did greatly delight to behold the horrible
fashion of the baker's mill, in so much that I could
not eat nor drink while I looked on, although there
was food in plenty. O good Lord, what a sort of poor
slaves were there ; some had their skin bruised all
over black and blue, some had their backs striped
with lashes and were but covered rather than clothed
with torn rags, some had their members only hidden
by a narrow cloth, all wore such ragged clouts that
you might perceive through them all their naked
bodies, some were marked and burned in the fore-
head with hot irons, some had their hair half
clipped, some had shackles on their legs, ugly and
evil favoured, some could scarce see, their eyes and
faces were so black and dim with smoke, their eye-
lids all cankered with the darkness of that reeking

419

LUCIUS APULEIUS

qui pulvisculo perspersi dimicant, farinulenta cinere
13 sordide candidati. lam de meo iumentario contu-
bernio quid vel ad quern modum memorem? Quales
illi muli senes vel cantherii debiles ! Circa praesepium
capita demersi contruncabant moles palearum, cer-
vices cariosa vulnerum putredine follicantes,nares lan-
guidas assiduo pulsu tussedinis hiulci, pectora copulae
sparteae tritura continua exulcerati, costas perpetua
castigatione ossium tenus renudati, ungulas multivia
circumcursione in enorme vestigium porrecti totum-
que corium veterno atque scabiosa macie exasperati.
Talis familiae funestum mihi etiam metuens exem-
plum veterisque Lucii fortunam recordatus et ad
ultimam salutis metam detrusus summisso capite
maerebam. Nee ullum uspiam cruciabilis vitae sola-
cium aderat, nisi quod ingenita mihi curiositate re-
creabar dum praesentiam meam parvi facientes libere
quae volunt omnes et agunt et loquuntur. Nee im-
merito priscae poeticae divinus auctor apud Graios
sumniae prudentiae virum monstrare cupiens mul-
tarum civitatum obitu et variorum populorum cognitu
summas adeptum virtutes cecinit : nam et ipse gratas
gratias asino meo memini, quod me suo celatum
tegmine variisque fortunis exercitatum, etsi minus
14 prudentem, multiscium reddidit. Fabulam denique
420

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

place, half blind and sprinkled black and white
with dirty flour like boxers which fight together be-
fouled with sand. But how should I speak of the
horses my companions, how they, being old mules or
weak horses, thrust their heads into the manger and
ate the heaps of straws ? They had their necks all
wounded and worn away with old sores, they rattled
their nostrils with a continual cough, their sides were
bare with continued rubbing of their harness and
great travail, their ribs were broken and the bones
did show with perpetual beating, their hoofs were
battered very broad with endless walking, and
their whole skin ragged by reason of mange and
their great age. When I saw this dreadful sight, I
greatly began to fear lest I should come to the like
state : and considering with myself the good fortune
which I was sometime in when I was a man, I greatly
despaired and lamented, holding down my head, but
I saw no comfort or consolation of my torments, saving
that my mind and my inborn curiosity was somewhat
recreated to hear and understand what every man
said and did, for they neither feared nor doubted
my presence. At that time I remembered how truly
Homer, the divine author of ancient Poetry among
the Greeks, described him to be a wise man 1 which
had travelled divers countries and nations, and by
straitly observing them all had obtained great virtue
and knowledge. Wherefore I do now give great
thanks to my assy form, in that by that mean I have
seen the experience of many things, and am become
more experienced (notwithstanding that 1 was then
very little wise). ' 3ut I will tell you a pretty and
handsome jest, which coineth nowto my remembrance,
1 The description of Ulysses in the opening Hues of the
Odyssey.

LUCIUS APULEIUS

bonam prae ceteris suavem compertu ad aures vestras
afferre decrevi, et en occipio.

Pistor ille qui me pretio suum fecerat, bonus alio-
quin vir et apprime modestus, pessimam et ante
cunctas mulieres longe deterrimam sortitus coniu-
gam poenas extremas tori Larisque sustinebat, ut
Hercule eius vicem ego quoque tacitus frequenter
ingemescerem. Nee enim vel unum vitium iiequis-
simae illi feminae deerat, sed omnia prorsus, ut in
quandam caenosam latrinam, in eius animum flagitia
confluxerant : saeva, scaeva, virosa, ebriosa, pervicax,
pertinax, in rapinis turpibus avara, in sumptibus foedis
profusa, inimica fidei, hostis pudicitiae : tune spretis
atque calcatis divinis numinibus in vicem certae
religionis mentita sacrilega praesumptione dei, quern
praedicaret unicum, confictis observationibus vacuis
fallens omnes homines et miserum maritum decipiens
matutino mero et continue stitpro corpus manciparat.
1 5 Talis ilia mulier miro me persequebatur odio : nam
et antelucio recubans adhuc subiungi machinae
novicium clamabat asinum, et statim ut cubiculo
primum processerat insistens iubebat incoram sui
plagas mihi quam plurimas irrogari et,cum tempestivo
prandio laxarentur iumenta cetera, longe tardius
applicari praesepio iubebat. Quae saevitia multo
mihi magis genuinam curiositatem in suos mores
ampliaverat : nam et assiduo plane commeantem in
eius cubiculum quendam sentiebam iuvenem, cuius
et faciem videre cupiebam ex summo studio, si tamen
422

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

to the intent your ears may be delighted in hearing
the same, and I do now begin it.

The baker which bought me was an honest and
sober man, but his wife the most pestilent woman in
all the world, in so much that he endured with her
many miseries and afflictions to his bed and house,
so that I myself did secretly pity his estate and
bewail his evil fortune : for there was not one single
fault that was lacking to her, but all the mis-
chiefs that could be devised had flowed into her
heart as into some filthy privy ; she was crabbed,
cruel, cursed, drunken, obstinate, niggish, covetous
in base robberies, riotous in filthy expenses, an enemy
to faith and chastity, a despiser of all the gods whom
others did honour, one that affirmed that she had
instead of our sure religion an only god by herself,1
whereby, inventing empty rites and ceremonies, she
deceived all men, but especially her poor husband,
delighting in drinking wine,yea, early in the morning,
and abandoning her body to continual whoredom.
This mischievous quean hated me in such wonder-
ful sort that she commanded every day, before she
was up, that I, the new ass, should be put in the
mill to grind : and the first thing which she would
do in the morning, when she had left her chamber,
was to see me cruelly beaten, and that I should
grind and be kept from the manger long after the
other beasts did feed and take rest. When I saw
that I was so cruelly handled, she gave me great
desire to learn her conversation and her life ; for
I saw oftentimes a young man, which would privily
go into her chamber, whose face I did greatly desire

l It is supposed that Apuleius represents this abandoned
woman as a Christian, and so expresses his dislike and con-
tempt of the new religion.

428

LUCIUS APULEIUS

velamentum capitis libertatem tribuisset meis ali-
quando luminibus ; nee enim mihi sollertia defuisset
ad detegenda quoquo modo pessimae feminae
flagitia. Sed anus quaedam stuprum sequestra et
adulterorum internuntia de die cotidie inseparabilis
aderat, cum qua protinus ientaculo ac dehinc vino
mero mutuis vicibus velitata scaenas fraudulentas
in exitium miserrimi mariti subdolis ambagibus con-
struebat. At ego, quamquam graviter suscensens
errori Fotidis, quae me dum avem fabricat, perfecit
asinum, isto tamen vel unico solacio aerumnabilis
deformitatis meae recreabar, quod auribus grandis-
simis praeditus cuncta longule etiam dissita facillime
sentiebam.

16 Denique die quadam madidae 1 illius aniculae
sermo talis meas affertur aures : " De isto quidem,
mi herilis, tecum ipsa videris, quem sine meo consilio
pigrum et formidulosum familiarem istum sortita es,
qui insuavis et odiosi mariti tui caperratum super-
cilitim ignaviter perhorrescit ac per hoc amoris
languidi desidia tuos volentes amplexus discruciat.
Quanto melior Philesitherus adulescens et formosus
et liberalis et strenuus et contra maritorum inefficaces
diligentias constantissimus, dignus Hercule solus
omnium matronarum deliciis perfrui, dignus solus
coronam auream capite gestare, vel ob unicum istud,
quod nunc nuper in quendam zelotypum maritum ex-
imio studio commentus est. Audi denique et amato-
rum diversum ingenium compara.

17 "Nosti quendam Barbarum nostrae civitatis de-
curionem, quem Scorpionem prae morum acritudine
vulgus appellat? Hie uxorem generosam et eximia

l Heinsius' emendation for the MSS' timidae. Helm's
intimidae may well be right.

424

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

to see, but I could not, by reason mine eyes were
covered every day : and verily, if I had been free
and at liberty, I would have discovered all her
abomination. She had an old woman, a bawd, a
messenger of mischief, that daily haunted to her
house, and made good cheer with her at breakfast,
and then they would drink wine unmixed, and after
this first skirmish they would contrive and plot to
the utter undoing and impoverishment of her
husband : but I, that was greatly offended with the
negligence of Fotis, who made me an ass instead of
a bird, did yet comfort myself for the miserable
deformity of my shape by this only mean, in that I
had long ears, whereby I might hear all things that
were done even afar off.

On a day I heard the shameless old bawd say to
the baker's wife : " Dame, you have chosen (notwith-
standing my counsel) a young man to your lover, who
as meseemeth is dull, fearful, without any grace, and
dastardly coucheth at the frowning looks of your
odious husband, whereby you have no delight nor
pleasure with him. How far better is the young
man Philesitherus, who is comely, beautiful, in the
flower of his youth, liberal, courteous, valiant, and
stout against the diligent pryings and watches of
husbands, alone worthy to embrace the worthiest
dames of this country, and alone worthy to wear a
crown of gold, be it for one part alone that he
played with clever wit to one that was jealous over
his wife. Hearken how it was, and then judge the
diversity of these two lovers.

" Know you one Barbarus, a senator of our town,
whom the vulgar people call likewise Scorpion for
his peevish manners ? This Barbarus had a gentle-
woman to his wife, of exceeding beauty, whom he

425

LUCIUS APULE1US

forraositate praeditam mira custodela munitam domi
suae quam cautissime cohibebat." Ad haec ultima
pistoris ilia uxor subiciens, " Quidni ? " inquit " Novi
diligenter. Areten meam condiscipulam memoras."
" Ergo " inquit anus " Nosti totam Philesitheri et
ipsius fabulam ? " " Minima gentium," inquit " Sed
nosse valde cupio, et oro, mater, ordine mihi singula
retexe." Nee commorata ilia sermocinatrix immodica
sic anus incipit :

" Barbarus iste cum necessarian! profectionem
pararet pudicitiamque carae coniugis conser-
vare summa diligentia cuperet, servulum suum
Myrmecem, fidelitate praecipua cognitum, secreto
commonet suaeque dominae custodelam omnem
permittit; carcerem et perpetua vincula, mortem
denique violentana defamem comminatus, si quisquam
hominum vel in transitu digito tenus earn contigisset,
idque deierans etiam confirmat per omnia divina
numina. Ergo igitur summo pavore perculsum
Myrmecem acerrimum relinquens uxori secutorem,
securam dirigit profectionem. Tune obstinato animo
vehementer anxius Myrmex nee usquam dominam
suain progredi sinebat, et lanificio domestico destrictam
inseparabilis assidebat,ac tantum necessario vespertini
lavacri progressu affixus atque conglutinatus,extremas
manu prendens lacinias, mira sagacitate commissae
18 provinciae fidem tuebatur. Sedardentem Philesitheri
vigilantiam matronae nobilis pulchritude latere non
potuit, atque hac ipsa potissimum famosa castitate et
426

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

caused daily to be enclosed within his house with
diligent custody." Then the baker's wife said : " I
know her very well, for her name is Arete, and we
two dwelled together at one school." "Then you
know," quoth the old woman, "The whole tale of
Philesitherus ? " "No, verily," said she, "But I
greatly desire to know it : therefore I pray you,
mother, tell me the whole story." By and by the
old woman, which knew well to babble, began to tell
as followeth :

" You shall understand that on a day this Barbarus,
preparing himself to ride abroad, and willing to keep
the chastity of his wife (whom he so well loved)
alone to himself, called his man Myrmex (whose
faith he had tried and proved in many things) and
secretly committed to him the custody of his wife,
threatening him. that if any man did but touch her
with his finger as he passed by, he would not only
put him in prison, and bind him hand and foot, but
also cause him to be put to death cruelly and shame-
fully ; which words he confirmed by oath of all the
gods in heaven, and so he departed careless away,
leaving Myrmex to follow his wife with all diligence.
When Barbarus was gone Myrmex, being greatly
astonished and afraid at his master's threatenings,
was exceeding constant and fixed in his purport-,
and would not suffer his mistress to go abroad,
but as she sat all day a-spinning, he was so careful
th.it he sat by her ; and when night came he-
went with her to the baths, holding her by the
garment, so faithful he was to fulfil the command-
ment of his master Howbeit. the beauty of
this noble matron could not be hidden from the
burning eyes of Philesitherus, who considering lu-r
great chastity, and how she was diligently kept by

LUCIUS APULEIUS

insignis tutelae nimietate instinctus atque inflarn-
matus, quidvis facere, quidvis pati paratus, ad expug-
nandam tenacem domus disciplinam totis accingitur
viribus ; certusque fragilitatis humanae fidei et quod
pecuniae cunctae sint difficultates perviae auroque
soleant adamantiriae etiam perfringi fores, opportune
nanctus Myrmecis solitatem, ei amorem suum aperit
et supplex eum medelam cruciatui deprecatur; nam
sibi statutam decretamque mortem proximare ni
maturius cupito potiatur : nee eum tamen quicquam
in re facili formidare debere, quippe cum vespera
solus, fide tenebrarum contectus atque absconditus,
introrepere et intra momentum temporis remeare
posset. His et huiuscemodi suadelis validum adde-
bat cuneum, qui rigentem prorsus servi tenaci-
tatem violenter diffinderet ; porrecta enim manu sua
demonstrat ei novitate nimia candentes solidos aureos,
quorum viginti quidem puellae destinasset, ipsi vero
19 decem libenter ofFerret. Exhorruit Myrmex inauditum
facinus et occlusis aunbus effugit protinus : nee auri
tamen splendor flammeus oculos ipsius exire potuit,
sed quam procul semotus et domum celeri gradu
pervectus videbat tamen decora ilia monetae lumina
et opulentam praedam iam tenebat animo, miroque
mentis salo et cogitationum dissensione misellus in
diversas sententias carpebatur ac distrahebatur : illic
fides, hie lucrum ; illic cruciatus, hie voluptas. Ad
postremum tamen formidinem mortis vicit aurura ;

428

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

Myrmex, was greatly set afire, and ready to do or
suffer aught to gain her ; and so he endeavoured by
all kind of means to enterprise the matter, and to
break through the serene guard of her house, and
remembered the fragility of man, that might be
enticed and corrupted with money, since by gold even
adamant gates may be opened. On a day when he
found Myrmex alone, he discovered his love, desiring
him to shew his favour to heal him thereof (otherwise
he intended and should certainly die unless he soon
obtained his desire) with assurance that he need not
fear, as he might privily be let in alone and under
the covering of the night, without knowledge of any
person, and in a moment come out again. To these,
and other gentle words, he added a wedge which
might violently split the hard tenacity of Myrmex ;
for he shewed him glittering new gold pieces in his
hand, saying that he would give his mistress twenty
crowns, and him ten.

" Now Myrmex, hearing these words, was greatly
troubled, abhorring in his mind to commit so wicked
a mischief; wherefore he stopped his ears, and
turning his head departed away. Howbeit, although
far apart and having now speedily gotten him home,
the glittering hue of these crowns could never out of
his mind, but he seemed to see the money, which was
so worthy a prey, before his eyes. Wherefore, poor
Myrmex was tossed on the waves of opinions and
was utterly distracted and could not tell what to do;
for on the one side, he considered the promise which
he made to his master, and the punishment which
should ensue if he did contrary, while on the other
side, he thought of the gain and passing pleasure of
the crowns of gold. In the end the desire of the
money did more prevail than the fear of death, for

429

LUCIUS APULEIUS

nee saltern spatiocupido formosae pecuniae leniebatur,
sed nocturnas etiam curas invaserat pestilens avaritia,
ut quamvis herilis eum comminatio domi cohiberet,
auruin tamen foras evocaret. Tune devorato pudore
et dimota cunctatione, sic ad aures dominae mandatum
perfert : nee a genuiiia levitate descivit mulier sed
execrando metallo pudicitiam suam protinus auctorata
est. Ita gaudio perfusus ad suae fidei praecipitium
praecipitat 1 Myrmex, non modo capere, verum
saltern contingere, quam exitio suo viderat, pecuniam
cupiens et magnis suis laboribus perfectum de-
siderium Philesithero laetitia percitus iiuntiat,
statimque destinatum praemium reposcit ; et tenet
nummos aureos maims Myrmecis quae nee aereos
20 norat. lamque nocte promota solum perducit ad
domum, probeque capita contectum ainatorem
strenuum infert adusque dominae cubiculum. Commo-
duin novis amplexibus amori rudi litabant, commodum
prima stipeiidia Veneri militabant nudi rnilites ; et
contra omnium opinionem captata noctis opportuni-
tate improvisus maritus assistit. Suae domus ianuam
iam pulsat, iam clamat, iam saxo fores verberat, et
ipsa tarditate magis magisque suspectus dira com-
minatur Myrmeci supplicia. At ille repentino malo
perturbatus et misera trepidatione ad inopiam consilii
deductus, quod solum poterat, nocturnas tenebras
sibi causabatur obsistere quin clavem curiose abscon-
ditam repperiret : interdum Philesitherus cognito
strepitu raptim tunicas iniectus sed plane prae turba-

1 A verb is required to complete the sense. Praecijiiiat is
van der Vliet's suggestion.

430

THE GOLDEN ASS. BOOK IX

the desire of the flourishing crowns was not abated
by distance of space, but it did even invade his
dreams in the night time, and where the menaces of
his master compelled him to tarry at home, the
pestilent avarice of the gold egged him out of doors ;
wherefore, putting all shame aside without further
delay, he declared the whole matter to his mistress ;
who, according to the light nature of women, when
she heard him speak of so great a sum, put her
chastity in pawn to the vile money. Myrmex, seeing
the intent of his mistress, was very glad, and hastened
to the ruin and breaking of his faith, and for great
desire that the gold should not only be his, but that
he might handle the same instantly, ran hastily to
Philesitherus, declaring that his mistress had consented
to his mind, wherefore he demanded the gold which
he promised ; and then incontinently Philesitherus
delivered him ten golden crowns, who had never
before possessed even money of copper. When night
came, Myrmex brought him disguised and covered
into his mistress' chamber; but, about midnight,
when he and she were together making the first
sacrifice of love unto the goddess Venus, behold, her
husband (contrary to their expectation) came and
knocked at the door, calling with a loud voice and
beating upon it with a stone. Their long tarn in u'
increased the suspicion of the master, in such sort
that he threatened to beat Myrmex cruelly : but he,
being troubled with fear, and driven to his latter
shifts, excused the matter as best he could, saying
that he could not find the key, by reason it had been
hidden curiously away and that the night was so
dark. In the mean season Philesitherus, hearing tli--
noise at the door, slipt on his coat (yet barefoot.
because of his great confusion) and privily ran out

•M

LUCIUS APULEIUS

tione pedibus intectis procurrit cubiculo. Tune
Myrraex tandem clave pessulis subiecta repandit
fores et recipit etiam tune fidem deum boantem
dominum, eoque propere cubiculum petente, clandes-
tine transcursu dimittit Philesitherum. Quo iam pro
limine liberato securus sui clausa domo rursum se
reddidit quieti.

" Sed dum prima luce Barbaras procedit cubiculo,
videt sub lectulo soleas incognitas quibus inductus
Philesitherus irrepserat, suspectisque e re nata quae
gesta sunt, non uxori, non ulli familiarium cordolio
patefacto, sublatis iis et in siiium furtim absconditis,
iusso tantum Myrmece per conserves vincto forum
versus attrahi, tacitos secum mugitus iterans rapidum
dirigit gressum, certus solearum indicio vestigium
adulteri posse se perfacile indipisci. Sed ecce per
plateam dum Barbaras vultu turgido subductisque
superciliis incedit iratus ac pone eum Myrmex vinculis
obrutus, non quid em coram noxae prehensus, con-
scientia tamen pessima permixtus, lacrimis uberibus
ac postremis lamentationibus inefficacem commovet
miserationem, opportune Philesitherus occurrens,
quamquam diverse quodam negotio destinatus, re-
pentina tamen facie permotus, non enim deterritus,
recolens festinationis suae delictum et cetera conse-
quenter suspicatus sagaciter, extemplo sumpta
familiar! constantia, dimotis servulis invadit cum
432

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

of the chamber. When at last Myrmex had fitted
the key into the lock and opened the door to his
master that still threatened terribly by all the gods,
and had let him in, he went into the chamber to
his wife ; in the mean while Myrmex let out Phile-
sitherus, and when he had seen him pass the thresh-
old, he barred the doors safe, and went to bed,
fearing nothing.

" The next morning, when Barbaras was about
leaving his chamber, he perceived two unknown
slippers lying under his bed, in the which Phile-
sitherus had entered the night before. Then he
conceived a great suspicion and jealousy in his
mind : howbeit, he would not discover his heart's
sorrow to his wife, neither to any other of his house-
hold, but putting secretly the slippers in his bosom,
commanded his other servants to bind Myrmex
incontinently, and to bring him quickly bound to
the justice after him, groaning and wailing inwardly
within himself, and thinking verily that by the
means of the slippers lie might track out the matter.
It fortuned that while Barbarus went through the
street towards the justice with a countenance of fury
and rage, and Myrmex fast bound followed him
weeping, not yet because he was found guilty before
the master, but by reason he knew his own con-
science guilty and therefore he cried bitterly and
called upon the mercy which availed him nothing,
behold.' by adventure Philesitherus (going about
other earnest business) fortuned to meet them by
the way ; who, fearing the matter which he so
suddenly saw, yet not utterly dismayed, remembering
that which he had forgotten in his haste, and con-
jecturing the rest, did suddenly invent a mean, for
that he was of great confidence and present mind,
2E *SS

LUCIUS APULEIUS

sumrrto clarrtore Myrmecem pugnisque malas eiiis

dementer 1 obtundens, ' At te ' inquit ' Nequissimum

et periurtim caput, dominus iste tuns et cuncta caeli

numina, quae deierando temere devorasti, pessimum

pessime perduint, qui de balneis soleas hesterna die

mihi furatus es. Dignus Hercule, dignus qui et ista

vincula conteras et insuper carceris etiam tenebras

perferas.' Hac opportuna fallacia vigorati iuvenis

inductus, immo sublatus et ad credulitatem delapsus

Barbarus> postliminio domum regressus, vocato Myr-

mece soleas illas ofFerens et ignovit ex animo et uti

domino redderet, cui surripuerat, siiasit."

22 Hactenus adhuc anicula garriente suscipit mulier :

" Beatam illam quae tarn constantis sodalis libertate

fruitur ! At ego misella molae etiam sonum et ecce

illius scabiosi asini faciem timentera familiarem in-

cidi." Ad haec anus : " lam tibi ego probe suasum et

confirmatum animi amatorem ilium alacrem vadimo-

nium sistam," et insuper condicta vespertina regres-

sione cubiculo facessit. At pudica uxor statim cenas

saliares comparat, vina pretiosa defaecat, pulmenta

recentia tuccetis temperat mensa largiter instructa.

Denique ut dei cuiusdam adventus, sic expectatur

adulteri ; nam et opportune maritus foris apud

naccam proximum cenitabat. Ergo igitur metis die 2

1 The MSS have clemcntcr, which must surely be wrong, and
Pricaeus suggested indementer. I have, with some diffi-
dence, written dementer.

2 The MSS have mcridie ; but the old woman has just said
that she will be back at evening, so that I have printed
Helm's emendation.

434

±HE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

to excuse Myrmex ; for he thrust away the slaves
and ran upon him and beat him wildly about
the head with his fists, saying: 'Ah, mischievous
varlet that thou art, and perjured knave, it were a
good deed if thy master here would put thee to
death, and all the gods whom thou hast hastily
swallowed down with thy false swearing, for thou art
worthy to be imprisoned in a dark dungeon, and to
wear out these irons, that stolest my slippers away
when thou wert at the baths yesternight.' Barbarus,
hearing these words, was utterly convinced and
deceived by the timely subtlety of that clever
youth, and returned incontinently home, and calling
his servant Myrmex, forgave him and commanded
him to deliver the slippers again to the right owner,
whence he had stolen the same."

The old woman had scarce finished her tale,
when the baker's wife began to say : " Verily she
is blessed, and most blessed, that hath the free
fruition of so worthy a lover; but as for me, poor
wretch, I am fallen into the hands of a coward,
who is afraid every clap of the mill, and dares do
nothing before the blind face of yonder scabbed
ass." Then the old woman answered: "I promise
you certainly, if you will, you shall have this young
man, that is firm and constant of mind, as well
as smart and brisk, at your pleasure this very even-
ing," and therewithal she departed out of the
chamber, appointing to return at night. In the
mean season, the baker's chaste wife made ready a
lordly supper with abundance of wine and exquisite
fare, fresh meat and gravy, and waited for the coming
of the young man as for some god : for it happened
by good fortune that her husband supped at a
fuller's that lived next door. When, therefore,

4,35

LUCIUS A PU LEI US

propinquante helcio tandem absolutus refectuique
secure redditus non tarn Hercule laboris libertatem
gratulabar, quam quod revelatis luminibus libere
iam cunctas facinorosae mulieris artes prospectare
poteram. Sol ipsum quidem delapsus Oceanum
subterrenas orbis plagas illuminabat, et ecce nequissi-
mae anus adhaerens later! temerarius adulter ad-
ventat, puer admodum et adhuc lubrico genarum
splendore conspicuus, adhuc adulteros ipse delectans :
hunc multis admodum saviis exceptum mulier cenam
23 iubet paratam accumbere. Sed ut primum occur-
soriam potionem et inchoatum gustum extremis
labiis contingebat adulescens, multo celerius opinione
rediens maritus adventat. Tune uxor egregia diras
devotiones in eum deprecata et crurum ei fragium
abominata, exsangui formidine trepidantem adul-
terum alveo ligneo, quo frumenta confusa purgari
consuerantj temere propter iacenti suppositum
abscondit, ingenitaque astutia dissimulate tanto
flagitio, intrepidum mentita vultum, percontatur de
marito, cur utique contubernalis artissimi deserta
cenula praematurus afforet. At ille dolenti prorsus
animo suspirans assidue, "Nefarium" inquit "Et
extremum facinus perditae feminae tolerare nequiens
fuga me proripui. Hem qualis, dii boni, matrona,
quam fida quamque sobria turpissimo se dedecore
foedavit ! luro per istam ego sanctam Cererem,
me nunc etiam meis oculis de tali muliere minus cre-
dere." His instincta verbis mariti audacissima uxor
436

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

the day was coming towards its term, so that my
harness should be taken off and that I should rest
myself in peace, I was not so joyful of my liberty, as
that the veil being taken from mine eyes, I should
see all the abomination of this mischievous quean.
When night was come and the sun gone down
beneath the sea to lighten the under part of the
earth, behold the old bawd and the young lover at
her side came to the door ; and he seemed to me
but a boy, by reason that his cheeks were yet smooth
and bright, and very pleasant : then the baker's wife
kissed him a thousand times, and receiving him cour-
teously, placed him down at the table. But he had
scarce taken any first draught nor eaten the first
morsel, when the good man (contrary to his wife's
expectation) returned home, for she thought he
would not have come so soon ; but, Lord, how she
cursed him, good woman, praying God that he might
break his legs at the first entry in. In the mean
season she caught her lover, that was now very pale
and trembling, and thrust him into the bin that lay
near by some chance, where she accustomed to sift
her flour, and dissembling her wickedness by her
wonted craft, put on a firm countenance and asked
of her husband why he came home so soon, and left
the supper of his dear friend so early. " I could not
abide," quoth he, deeply sighing, " To see so great a
mischief and wicked fact which my neighbour's wife
committed, but I must run away. Oh, how good and
trusty a matron she seemed, but what a harlot is she
become, and how she hath dishonoured her husband !
I swear by this goddess Ceres that if I had not seen
it with mine eyes I would never have believed i
His wife, made desirous by his words to know t
matter, desired him to tell what she had done ; and

437

LUCIUS APULEIUS

noscendae rei cupiens non cessat obtundere totam
prorsus a principio fabulam promeret : nee de-
stitit, donee eius voluntati succubuit maritus et
sic, ignarus suorum, domus alienae percenset in-
fortunium :

24, " Contubernalis mei fullonis uxor, alioquin servati
pudoris, ut videbatur, femina, quae semper secundo
rumore gloriosa Larem mariti pudice gubernabat,
occulta libidine prorumpit in adulterum quempiam :
cumque furtivos amplexus obiret assidue, ipso illo
denique momento, quo nos lauti cenam petebamus,
cum eodem illo iuvene miscebatur in Venerem. Ergo
nostra repente turbata praesentia, subitario ducta con-
silio, eundem ilium subiectum contegit viminea cavea,
quae fustium flexu tereti in rectum aggerata cumulum
lacinias circumdatas suftusa candido fumo sulphuris
inalbabat, eoque Jam, ut sibi videbatur, tutissime ce-
lato mensam nobiscum secura participat. Interdum
acerrimo gravique odore sulphuris iuvenis inescatus
atque obnubilatus intercluso spiritu diffluebat, utque
est ingenium vivacis metalli, crebras ei sternu-

25 tationes commovebat. Atque ut primum e regione
mulieris pone tergum eius maritus acceperat
sonum sternutationis — quod enim putaret ab ea pro-
fectum — solito sermone salutem ei fuerat imprecatus,
et iterate rursum et frequentato saepius, donee rei
nimietate commotus quod res erat tandem suspica-
tur, et impulsa mensa protenus remotaque cavea pro-
ducit hominem crebros anhelitus aegre reflantem ;
inflammatusque indignatione contumeliae gladium
flagitans iugulare moriturum gestiebat, ni respecto
communi periculo vix eum ab impetu furioso cohib-
uissem, asseverans brevi absque noxa nostri suapte
inimicum eius violentia sulphuris periturum : nee

438

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

she ceased not to urge him until he accorded to the
request of his wife, and ignorant of the state of his
own house, declared the mischance of another. '

" You shall understand," said he, " That the wife of
the fuller my companion, who seemed to be a wise
and chaste woman, regarding her own horn-sty and
the profit of her house, had begun secretly to love a
knave, and did often meet him : and this very night,
as we came back to supper from the baths, he and
she were together. Then she was troubled by <nir
sudden presence and thrust him into a mew made
with twigs, built up high with rods woven in and
out, and appointed to lay on clothes to make them
white with the smoke and fume of brimstone : and
so he being very safe hidden therein (as she thought)
she sat with us at the table to colour the matter. In
the mean season the young man, covered in the mew,
could not forbear oft sneezing, by reason of the sharp
smoke, for he was wholly surrounded and choked with
the heavy fumes of this lively sublimate. The good
man, thinking it had been his wife that sneezed (lor
the noise thereof came from behind her back) cried,
as they are wont to say, 'Christ help ' ; but when he
sneezed more and more, he suspected the matter.
and willing to know who it was, rose, pushing lxu-k
the table, and went to the mew, where lie found the
young man now choked well nigh dead with Mimke.
When he understood the, whole matter he wa> p
inflamed with anger at this outrage that he called
for a sword to kill him : and undoubtedly he had
so done, had not I hardly restrained his violent
hands from his purpose, that had brought danger unto
us all, assuring him that his enemy would die wit
the force of the brimstone without any harm which
he mio-ht get from it : howbeit, my words would

LUCIUS APULEIUS

suadela mea sed ipsius rei necessitate lenitus, quippe
iaru semivivum ilium in proxumum deportat angipor-
tum. Turn uxorem eius tacite suasi ac denique per-
suasi secederet paululum atque ultra limen tabernae
ad quampiam tantisper familiarem sibi mulierem mi-
graret,1 quoad spatio fervens mariti sedaretur animus,
qui tanto calore tantaque rabie perculsus non erat
dubius aliquid etiam de se suaque coniuge tristius
profecto cogitm-e. Talium contubemalis epularum
taedio fugatus Larem reveni meum."

26 Haec recensente pistore iamdudum procax et
temeraria mulier verbis execrantibus fullonis illius
detestabatur uxorem, illam perfidam, illam impudi-
cam, denique universi sexus grande dedecus, quae
suo pudore postposito torique genialis calcato foe-
dere Larem mariti lupanari maculasset infamia, iam-
que perdita nuptae dignitate prostitutae sibi nomen
adsciverit : addebat et tales oportere vivas exuri femi-
nas. Et tamen taciti vulneris et suae sordidae con-
scientiae commonita, quo maturius stupratorem suum
tegminis cruciatu liberaret, identidem suadebat mari-
tum temperius quieti decedere. At ille, utpote in-
tercepta cena profugerat prorsus ieiunus, mensam
potius comiter postulabat. Apponebat ei propere,
quamvis invita mulier, quippini destinatam alii : sed
mihi penita carpebantur praecordia et praecedens
facinus et praesentem deterrimae feminae constan-
tiam cogitanti mecumque sedulo deliberabam, si quo
modo possem, detectis ac revelatis fraudibus, auxilium
meo perhibere domino, illumque, qui ad instar testu-
dinis alveum succubabat, depulso tegmine cunctis

27 palam facere. Sic herili contumelia me cruciatum
tandem caelestis respexit providentia : nam senex

1 A verb seems to have dropped out of the text, Migraret
is van der Vliet'e suggestion.

440

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

not appease his fury, but as necessity required he
took the young man well nigh choked, and carried
him out at the doors to the nearest lane. In the
mean season I counselled his wife and did persuade
her to leave his shop and absent herself at some
neighbour's house till the choler of her husband was
pacified, lest he should be moved against her, and
do her some harm and to himself also. And so being
weary of their supper, I forthwith returned home."

When the baker had told this tale, his impudent
and rash wife began to curse and abhor the wife of
the fuller, calling her whore and shameless, and a
great shame to all the sex of women, in that she
had lost all modesty, broken the bond of her hus-
band's bed, turned his house into a bawdy-house,
and had lost the dignity of a spouse to become an
harlot ; and said that such women were worthy to
be burned alive. But knowing her own guilty con-
science and proper whoredom, that she might the
sooner save her lover from hurt lying in the bin, she
willed her husband now early to go to bed, but In-,
having lost his supper and eaten nothing, said gently
that he would sup before he went to rest : wherefore
she was compelled, though very unwilling, to set
such things on the table as she had prepared for her
lover. But I was much troubled in heart, as con-
sidering the past great mischief of this wicked qu.aii
and her present obstinacy and impudence, and de-
vised with myself how I might help my master by
revealing the matter, and by kicking away the cover
of the bin (where like a snail the young man was
couched) make her whoredom apparent and known.
As I was tormented by the insult put upon my master,
at length I was aided by the providence of God, for
there was a lame old man to whom the custody of

441

LUCIUS APULEIUS

claudus, cut nostra tutela permissa fuerat, universa
nos iumenta, id hora iam postulante, ad lacum proxu-
raum bibendi causa gregatim prominabat. Quae res
optatissimam mihi vindictae subrainistravit occa-
sionem : namque praetergrediens observatos extre-
mus adulteri digitos, qui per angustias cavi tegminis
prominebant, obliquata atque infesta ungula com-
pressos usque ad summam minutieni contero, donee
intolerabili dolore commotus, sublato flebili clamore,
repulsoque et abiecto alveo, conspectui profano red-
ditus scaenam propudiosae mulieris patefecit. Nee
taraen pistor damno pudicitiae magnopere commotus
exsangui pallore trepidantem puerum serena f route
et propitiata facie commulcens incipit : " Nihil triste
de me tibi, fili, metuas. Non sum barbarus nee
agresti morum squalore praeditus, nee ad exem-
plum naccinae truculentiae sulphuris te letali fumo
necabo, ac ne iuris quidem severitate lege de adul-
teriis ad discrimen vocabo capitis tarn venustum tam-
que pulchellum puellum, sed plane cum uxore mea
partiario tractabo ; nee herciscundae familiae sed com-
muni dividundo formula dimicabo, ut sine ulla con-
troversia vel dissensione tribus nobis in uno conveniat
lectulo. Nam et ipse semper cum mea coniuge tarn
concorditer vixi, ut ex secta prudentium eadem nobis
ambobus placerent. Sed nee aequitas ipsa patitur
habere plus auctoritatis uxorem quam maritum."
28 Talis sermonis blanditie cavillatum deducebat ad

442

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

us was committed, that drove me, poor ass. and the
other horses in a herd to the water to drink, and
the time was then come ; then had I good occasion
ministered to my revenge, for as I passed by I per-
ceived the fingers of the young man in the narrow
space under the side of the bin, and lifting up my
heels I spurned the flesh thereof with the force of
my hoofs, and crushed them small, where by the great
pain thereof he was compelled to cry out, and to throw
down the bin on the ground, and so the whoredom
of the baker's wife was known and revealed. The
baker, seeing this, was little moved at the dishonesty
of his wife, but he took the young man, pair and
trembling for fear, by the hand, and with cold and
courteous Avords spake in this sort : " Fear not any
trouble from me, my son, nor think that I am so
barbarous or cruel or rustical a person that I would
stifle thee with the smoke of sulphur, as our neigh-
bour the fuller accustometh, nor will I punish thee
accord to the rigour of the Julian law, which coin-
mandeth that adulterers should be put to death.
No, no, I will not execute any cruelty against
so fair and comely a young man as you be,
but we will divide our pleasure between us;
I will not sue thee for a division of our inheri-
tance, but we will be equal partners by the
sharing all three of one bed. For never hath
there been any debate nor dissension between
me and my wife, but both of us may be contented,
for I have always lived with her in such tranquillity
that according to the saying of the wise men, the
one hath said, that the other holdeth for law ; but
indeed equity will not suffer but that the husband
should bear more authority than the wife."
these and like smooth and jesting words he

443

LUCIUS APULEIUS

torum nolentem puerum, sequentem tamen, et pudi-
cissima ilia uxore altrorsus disclusa solus ipse cum
puero Cubans gratissima corruptarum nuptiarum vin-
dicta perfruebatur. Sed cum prinium rota solis lucida
diem peperit, vocatis duobus e familia validissimis,
quam altissime sublato puero, ferula nates eius obver-
berans, " Tu autem," inquit " Tam mollis ac tener
et admodum puer, defraudatis amatoribus aetatis
tuae flore, mulieres appetis atque eas liberas et con-
nubia lege sociata corrumpis et intempestivum tibi
nomen adulteri vindicas ? " His et pluribus verbis
compellatum et insuper afFatim plagis castigatum
forinsecus abicit ; at ille adulterorum omnium fortis-
simus insperata potitus salute, tamen nates Candidas
illas noctu diuque diruptus, maerens profugit : nee
setius pistor ille nuntiiim remisit uxori eamque pro-
29 tinus de sua proturbavit domo. At ilia praeter genu-
inam nequitiam contumelia etiam, quamvis iusta,
tamen altius commota atque exasperata ad armillum
revertitur et ad familiares feminarum artes accen-
ditur, magnaque cura requisitam veteratricem quan-
dam feminam, quae devotionibus ac maleficiis quid-
vis efficere posse credebatur, multis exorat precibus
multisque sutfarcinat muneribuSj alterum de duobus
postulans, vel rursum mitigato conciliari marito, vel
si id nequiveritj certe larva vel aliquo diro numine
immisso violenter eius expugnari spiritum. Tune

1 Adlington's note to the passage is worthy of transcription :
" In like soi't do many nowadays go to wise women which, are

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
led the young man to his chamber, and closed
his wife in another chamber, whereby he might
revenge his enemy at his pleasure. On the next
morrow when the sun's rays did first usher in
the day, he called two of the most sturdiest ser-
vants of his house, who hoist up the young man
while he scourged his buttocks well-favouredly with
rods like a child. When he had well beaten him he
said : " Art thou not ashamed, thoti that art so
tender and delicate a boy, to refuse the lovers of
thine own budding age, and to desire the violation
of honest marriages, and defame thyself with wicked
living, whereby thou hast gotten the name of an adul-
terer ? " And so he whipped him again and chased
him out of his house : the young man, the bravest ot
all adulterers, ran away, despairing of his life, and did
nothing else, save only bewail his striped and aching
buttocks. Soon after the baker sent one to his wife
who divorced her away in his name : but she, beside
her own natural mischief (offended at this contumely,
though she had worthily deserved the same) had
recourse to wicked arts and trumpery 1 that women
use, never ceasing till she had found out an en-
chantress, who (as it was thought) could do what she
would with her sorcery and conjuration. The baker's
wife began to entreat her, promising that she would
largely recompense her, if she could bring one of
these two things to pass, either to make that her
husband might be reconciled to her again, or else, if
he would not agree thereto, to send some ghost or
devil into him to dispossess the spirit of her husband.

witches, when they have lost silver spoons, or have their
cattle hurt to seek remedy, but to seek redress by such means
is luck of faith, when they forsake God and run for help to tin-
devil, with whom, as S. Augustine sayeth, they shall be
damned."

445

LUCIUS APULE1US

Saga ilia et divini potens primis adhuc armis faci-
norosae disciplinae suae velitatur et vehementer
offensum mariti flectere atque in amorem impellere
conatur animum. Quae res cum ei sequius ac rata
fuerat proveniret, indignata numinibus, et praeter
praemii destinatum compendium contemptione etiam
stimulata, ipsi iam miserrimi mariti incipit imminere
capiti, umbramque violenter peremptae mulieris ad
exitium eius instigare.

30 Sed forsitan lector scrupulosus reprehendens nar-
ratum meum sic argumentaberis : " Unde autem tu,
astutule asine, intra terminos pistrini contectus,
quid secreto, ut affirmas, mulieres gesserint scire
potuisti ? " Accipe igitur quemadmodum homo
curiosus iumenti faciem sustinens cuncta quae
in perniciem pistoris mei gesta sunt cognovi.
Diem ferme circa mediam repente intra pistrinum
mulier reatu miraque tristitie deform is apparuit,
flebili centunculo semiamicta, nudis et intectis
pedibus, lurore buxeo macieque foedata., et dis-
cerptae comae semicanae sordentes inspersu cineris
pleramque eius anteventulae contegebant faciem.
Haec talis manu pistori clementer iniecta, quasi
quippiam secreto collocutura in suum sibi cubiculum
deducit eum et adducta fore quam diutissime de-
moratur. Sed cum esset iam confectum omne fru-
mentum, quod inter manus opifices tractaverant,
nedessarioque peti deberet aliud, servuli cubiculum
propter sidstantes dominum vocabant operique
supplementum postulabant : atque ut illis saepicule
446

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK ix

Then the witch with her abominable science began
at first to conjure with the lighter arts of her wicked
practice, and to make her ceremonies to turn the
offended heart of the baker to the love of his wife :
but all was in vain ; wherefore angry with her gods,
and considering on the one side that she could not
bring her purpose to pass, and on the other side the
loss of her gain and the little account that was made
of her science, she began to aim against the life of
the baker, threatening to send an ill spirit of a certain
woman that had died violently to kill him by mean
of her conjurations.

But peradventure some scrupulous reader may
demand me a question, how I, being an ass, and tied
always within the walls of the mill-house, could be
so clever as to know the secrets of these women :
learn then, I answer, notwithstanding my shape of
an ass, yet having the sense and knowledge of a
man, how I did curiously find out and know out such
injuries as were done to my master. About noon
there came suddenly a woman into the mill-house,
very sorrowful, clothed in wretched rags, and in
gloomy garb like those that are accused of a crime,
half naked and with bare and unshod feet, meagre,
exceeding pale and thin, ill-favoured, and her hair,
which was growing towards white, mixed with cinders
and scattering upon her face. This woman gently
took the baker by the hand, and feigning that she
had some secret matter to tell him, led him into his
chamber, where they remained a good space with
closed doors. But when all the corn was ground
that was ready to hand, and the servants were com-
pelled to call their master to give them more, they
called very often at his chamber door, and asked that
they might have further matter for their labour.

447

LUCIUS APULEIUS

et intervocaliter clamantibus nullus respondit
dominus, iam forem pulsare validius et, quod dili-
gentissime fuerat oppessulata, maius peiusque aliquid
opinantes, nisu valido reducto vel diffracto cardine
tandem patefaciunt aditum. Nee uspiam reperta
ilia muliere vident e quodam tigillo constrictum iam-
que exanimem pendere dominum ; eumque nodo
cervicis absolutum detractumque summis plangoribus
summisque lamentationibus atque ultimo lavacro
procurant, peractisque feralibus officiis frequenti pro-

31 sequente comitatu tradunt se{)iilturae. Die sequenti
filia eitis accurrit e proxumo castello, in quod pridem
denupserat, maesta atque crines pendulos quatiens et
interdum pugnis obtundens ubera ; quae nullo quidem
domus infortunium nuntiante cuncta cognorat, sed ei
per quietem obtulit sese flebilis patris sui facies,
adhuc nodo revincta cervice, eique totum novercae
scelus aperuit, de adulterio, de maleficio, et quemad-
modum larvatus ad inferos demeasset. Ea cum se
diutino plangore cruciasset, concursu familiarium
cohibita tandem pausam luctui fecit : iamque nono
die rite completis apud tumulum sollemnibus
familiam supellectilemque et omnia iumenta ad
hereditariam deducit auctionem : tune unum Larem
varie dispergit venditionis incertae licentiosa fortuna.

Me denique ipsum pauperculus quidam hortulanus
comparat quinquaginta nummis, magno, ut aiel>at,

32 sed ut communi labore victuin sibi quaereret. Res
ipsa mihi poseere videtur ut huius quoque servitiimei
448

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
But when no person gave answer to their often and
loud crying, they knocked louder to none effect:
then they began to mistrust, in so much that with
great pushing they brake open the door, which was
very closely barred ; but when they were come in,
they could not find the woman, but only their master
hanging dead upon a rafter of the chamber. There-
upon they cried and lamented greatly, and took his
body from the noose ; and according to the custom,
when they had mourned him much and washed the
body, they performed all the funeral rites and buried
him, much people attending. The next morrow the
daughter of the baker, which was married but a little
before to one of the next village, came crying with
hair awry and beating her breast : not because she
heard of the sad fortune of her house by the message
of any man, but because her father's lamentable
spirit, with a halter about his neck, appeared to her
in the night, declaring the whole circumstance of
the matter ; of the wickedness of her stepmother and
her whoredom, of the witchcraft and how by en-
chantment he was descended to hell. After that she
had lamented a good space, and was then somewhat
comforted by the servants of the house and had
ceased therefrom, and when nine days were expired;
and all was duly done at the tomb, as inheritress to
her father she sold away all the substance of the
house, both slaves and furniture and beasts, whereby
the goods of one household chanced by the operation
of fortune into divers men's hands.

There was a poor gardener amongst the rest, which
bought me for the sum of fifty pence, which seemed
to him a great price, but he thought to gain it again
by the common travail of himself and me. The
matter requireth to tell likewise, how I was handled
2 F 449

LUCIUS APULEIUS

disciplinam exponam. Matutino me multis holeribus
onustum proxumam civitatem deducere consuerat
dominus atque ibi venditoribus tradita merce dorsum
insidens raeum sic hortum redire. Ac dum fodiens,
dum irrigans ceteroque incurvus labore deservit, ego
tantisper otiosus placida quiete recreabar. Sed ecce
siderum ordinatis ambagibus per numeros dierum ac
mensuum remeans annus, post raustulentas autumni
delicias ad hibernas Capricorn! pruinas deflexerat et
assiduis pluviis nocturnisque rorationibus sub dio et
intecto conclusus stabulo continue discruciabar frigore,
quippe cum meus dominus prae nimia paupertate ne
sibi quidem, nedum mihi posset stramen aliquod vel
exiguum tegimen parare, sed frondoso casulae con-
tentus umbraculo degeret. Ad hoc matutino lutum
nimis frigidum gelusque praeacuta frusta nudis
invadens pedibus enitebar, ac ne suetis saltern cibariis
ventrem meum replere poteram ; namque et mihi et
ipsi domino cena par ac similis, oppido tamen tenuis
aderat, lactucae veteres et insuaves illae, quae seminis
enormi senecta ad instar scoparum in amaram caenosi
succus cariem exolescunt.

33 Nocte quadam paterfamilias quidam de pago
proxumo tenebris inluniae caliginis impeditus et
imbre nimio madefactus, atque ob id ab itinere
directo cohibitus, ad hortulum nostrum iam fesso
equo deverterat receptusque comiter pro tempore,
licet non delicato, necessario tamen quietis subsidio,
remunerari beniguum hospitem cupiens promittit ei
de praediis suis sese daturum et frumenti et olivi
450

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

in his service. This gardener accustomed to drive
me every morning laden with herbs to the next
village, and there, when he had sold his herbs, he
would mount upon my back and return to the garden.
Now while he digged the ground, and watered the
herbs, and bent himself to his other business, I did
nothing but repose myself with great ease : but when
the signs of heaven were turned in their ordained
courses, and the year in due order passed by day
and by months from the pleasant delights of the
autumn unto Capricorn, with sharp hail, rain, and
wintry frosts, I had no stable, but standing always
under a hedgeside, beneath the unceasing rain and
the dews of night, was well nigh killed with cold ;
for my master was so poor that he had no lodging
for himself, much less he had any litter or place to
cover me withal ; but he himself always lay under a
little roof, shadowed and covered with boughs. In
the morning when I walked, I had no shoes to my
hoofs to pass upon the sharp ice and frosty mire,
neither could I fill my belly with meat as I accus-
tomed to do ; for my master and I supped together
and had both one fare, and it was very slender, since
we had nothing else saving old and unsavoury salads,
which were suffered to grow for seed, like long
brooms, and all their sweet sap and juice had become
bitter and stinking.

It fortuned on a day that an honest man of the
nextvillage was benighted, and constrained, by reason
of the rain and that it was dark without moon, to
lodge (his horse being very weary) in our garden ;
where although he was but meanly received, yet served
well enough considering time and necessity. This
honest man, to recompense our kindly entertainment,
promised to give my master some corn, oil, and two

451

LUCIUS APULEIUS

aliquid et amplius duos vini cados. Nee moratus
nxeus sacculo et utribus vacuis secum apportatis
nudae spinae meae residens ad sexagesimum stadium
profectionem comparat. Eo iam confecto viae spatio
pervenimus ad praedictos agros, ibique statim meum
dominum comis hospes opipari prandio participat.
lamque iis poculis mutuis altercantibus mirabile
prorsus evenit ostentum. Una de cetera cohorte
gallina per mediam cursitans aream clangore genuino
velut ovum parere gestiens personabat. Earn suus
dominus intuens " O bona " inquit " Ancilla et satis
fecunda quae multo iam tempore cotidianis nos partu-
bus saginasti ! Nunc etiam cogitas, ut video, gustu-
lum iiobis praeparare." Et " Heus " inquit " Puer,
calathum fetui gallinaceo destinatum angulo solitff
collocato." Ita uti fuerat iussum procurante puero,
gallina consuetae lecticulae spreto cubili ante ipsos
pedes domini praematurum sed magno prorsus
futurum scrupulo prodidit partum : non enim ovum,
quod scimus illud, sed pinnis et unguibus et oculis et
voce etiam perfectum edidit pullum, qui matrem
34. suam coepit continue comitari. Nee eo setius longe
mains ostentum, et quod omnes merito perhor-
rescerent, exoritur : sub ipsa enim mensa, quae reli-
quias prandii gerebat, terra dehiscens imitus largis-
simum emicuit sanguinis fontem x ; hinc resultantes
uberrimae guttae mensam cruore perspergunt.
Ipsoque illo momento, quo stupore defixi mirantur
ac trepidant divina praesagia, concurrit unus e cella
vinaria mmtians omne vinum, quod olim diffusum
fuerat, in omnibus doliis ferventi calore et prorsus
ut igne copioso subdito rebullire. Visae interea

1 MSS/ons. But an accusative is necessary, as Petschenig
saw, unless we read dehiscente and largissimus, taking terra as
an ablative.

452

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

bottles of wine : therefore my master, not delaying the
matter, laded me with a sack and empty bottles, and
sat upon my bare back and rode to the town, which
was seven miles off. When we came to the hours!
man's farm, he entertained and feasted my master
exceedingly; and it fortuned while they ate and
drank together in great amity, there chanced a
strange and dreadful case; for there was a hen
which ran cackling about the yard, even as though
she would have laid an egg ; the good man of the
house, perceiving her, said : " O good and profitable
pullet, that now for so long hast fed us every day
with thy fruit, thou seemest as though thou wouldst
give us some pittance for uur dinner. Oh, boy, put
the pannier in the accustomed comer that the hen
may lay." Then the boy did as his master com-
manded, but the hen, forsaking her accustomed
litter, came towards her master, and laid at his feet
an offspring too early indeed, and one that should
betoken great ill to come ; for it was not an egg
which every man knoweth, but a chicken, with
feathers, claws, and eyes, nay even with a voice,
which incontinently ran peeping after his dame.
By and by happened a more strange thing which
would cause any man to abhor ; for under the very
table whereon was the rest of their meat, the ground
opened, and there appeared a great well and fountain
of blood, in so much that the drops thereof sprinkled
about the table. At the same time, while they
wondered at this dreadful sight, and feared that
which the gods should presage thereby, one of the
servants came running out of the cellar, and told
that all the wine, which had long before been racked
oft', was boiled out of the vessels, as though there
had been some great fire under. By and by without

453

LUCIUS APULEIUS

mustelae etiam mortuum serpentem forinsecus mor-
dicus attrahentes, et cle ore pastoricii canis virens
exsiluit ranula, ipsumque canem qui proximus consis-
tebat aries appetitum unico morsu strangulavit. Haec
tot ac talia ingenti pavore domini illius et familiae
totius ad extremum stuporem deiecerant animos,
quid prius quidve posterius, quid magis quid minus,
numinum caelestium leniendis minis quot et qualibus
•'55 procuraretur hostiis. Adhuc omnibus expectatione
taeterrimae formidinis torpidis accurrit quidam
servulus magnas et postremas domino illi fundorum
clades annuntians. Namque is adultis iam tribus
liberis doctrina instructis et verecundia praeditis
vivebat gloriosus. His adtilescentibus erat cum
quodam paupere modicae casulae domino vetus
familiaritas : at enim casulae parvulae conterminos
magnos et beatos agros possidebat victims potens et
dives et iuvenis, sed prosapiae maiorum gloria male
utens pollensque factionibus et cuncta facile faciens
in civitate : hie hostili modo vicini tennis incursabat
pauperiem pecua trucidando, boves abigendo, fruges
adhuc immaturas obterendo. lamque tota frugalitate
spoliatum ipsis etiam glebulis exterminare gestiebat
finiumque inani commota quaestione terram totam
sibi vindicabat. Tune agrestis, verecundus alioquin,
avaritia divitis iam spoliatus, ut suo saltern sepulchre
paternum retiueret solum, amicos plurimos ad de-
454

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
the house weasels were seen that drew with their
teeth a dead serpent ; and out of the mouth of a
shepherd's dog leaped a green frog, and immediately
after a ram that stood hard by leaped upon the same
dog and strangled him with one bite. All these
things that happened horribly astonished the good
man of the house and the residue that were present,
in so much they could not tell how they stood 01
what to do, which first and which last, which more
and which less, or with what or how many sacrifices
to appease the anger of the gods.

While every man was thus stricken in fear of some
hideous thing that should come to pass, behold one
brought word to the good man of the house of a
great and terrible mishap. For he had three sons
who had been brought up in good literature and
endued with good manners, in whom he greatly
gloried. Now they three had great acquaintance
and ancient amity with a poor man, which was their
neighbour and dwelled hard by them in a little
cottage. And next unto that little cottage dwelled
another young man very rich both in lands and goods,
but using ill the pride of his high descent, very
factious, and ruling himself in the town according to
his own will. This young royster did mortally hate
this poor man, in so much that he would kill his
sheep, steal his oxen, and spoil his corn and other
fruits before the time of ripeness ; yet was he not
contented with this spoiling of his thrift, but he
burned to encroach upon the poor man's ground and
by some empty quarrel of boundaries claimed all his
heritage as his own. The poor man, which was very
simple and fearful, seeing all his goods taken away
by the avarice of the rich man, called together and
assembled many of his friends to shew them in much

455

LUCIUS APULEIUS

monsti ationem finium trepidans eximie corrogarat :
aderant inter alios ires illi fratres cladibus amici
36 quantulum quantulum ferentes auxilium. Nee ta-
men ille vesanus tantillum praesentia multorum
civium territus vel etiam confusus, licet non rapinis,
saltem verbis temperare voluit sed, illis clementer
expostulantibus fervidosque eius mores blanditiis per-
mulcentibus, repente stiam suorumque carorum salu-
tem quam sanctissime adiurans asseverat parvi se
pendere tot mediatorum praesentiam ; denique vici-
num ilium auriculis per suos servulos sublatum de
casula longissime statimque proiectum iri : quo dicto
insignis indignatio totos audientium pertemptavit ani-
mos. Tune unus e tribus fratribus incunctanter et
paulo liberius respondit, frustra eum suis opibus con-
fisum tyrannica superbia comminari, cum alioquin
pauperes etiam liberali legum praesidio de insolentia
locupletium consueverint vindicari.

Quod oleum flammae, quod sulphur incendio, quod
flagellum Furiae, hoc et iste sermo truculentiae homi-
nis nutrimento fuit. lamque ad extremam insaniam
vecors suspendium sese et totis illis et ipsis legibus
mandare proclamans, canes pastoricios villaticos, feros
atque immanes, assuetos abiecta per agros essitare
cadavera, praeterea etiam transeuntium viatorum
passivis l morsibus alumnatos, laxari atque in eorum
exitiuminhortatosimmittipraecipit. Qui sinuil signo

1 Colvius7 ingenious emendation for the MSS' passibus.
456

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
fear the metes and bounds of his land, to the end he
might at least have so much ground of his father's
heritage as might bury him. Amongst whom he
found these three brethren as friends to help and
aid him as far as they might in his adversity and
tribulation. Howbeit the presence of all these honest
citizens could in no wise persuade or frighten this
madman to leave his power and extortion, and
though at the first he did shew temperance in
his tongue, yet of a sudden, the more they went
about with gentle words to tell him his faults,
the more would he fret and fume, swearing all the
oaths under God, and pledging his own life and
his dearest, that he little regarded the presence of
the whole city, and incontinently he would command
his servants to take the poor man by the ears, and
carry him out of his cottage and thrust him afar off.
This greatly offended all the standers-by ; and then
forthwith one of the brethren spake unto him some-
what boldly, saying: "It is but a folly to have such
affiance in your riches, and to use your tyrannous
pride to threaten, when as the law is common for the
poor alike, and a redress may be had by it to suppress
the insolence of the rich."

These words made his harsh temper to burn more
than oil on flames, or brimstone in a fire, or a Fury's
scourge of whips, and he became furious to madness,
saying that they should be all hanged and their laws
too, before he would be subject to any person : and
therewithal he called out his bandogs and great
mastiffs that followed the sheep on his farm, which
accustomed to eat the carrion and carcasses of dead
beasts in the fields, and had been trained to set upon
such as passed by the way. These he commanded
should be put upon all the assistants to tear them in

457

LUCIUS APULEIUS

solito pastorum incensi atque inflammati sunt, furiosa
rabie conciti et latratibus etiam absents horribiles,
eunt in homines eosque variis aggressi vulneribus
distrahunt ac lacerant, nee fugientibus saltern com-
37 pescunt sed eo magis irritatiores sequuntur. Tune
inter confertam trepidae multitudinis stragem e tri-
bus iunior offenso lapide atque obtunsis digitis terrae
prosternitur, saevisque illis ac ferocissimis canibus in-
struit nefariam dapem : protenus enim nancti prae-
dam iacentem miserum ilium adulescentem frustatim
discerpunt. Atque ut eius letalem ululatum cogno-
vere ceteri fratres, accurrunt maesti suppetias, ob-
volutisque lacinia laevis manibus lapidum crebris
iactibus propugnare fratri atque abigere canes ag-
grediuntur. Nee tamen eorum ferociam vel conterrere
vel expugnare potuere, quippe cum miserrimus adule-
scens ultima voce prolata, vindicarent de pollutissimo
divite mortem fratris iunioris, illico laniatus interisset.
Tune reliqui fratres non tarn Hercule desperata quam
ultro neglecta sua salute contendunt ad divitem atque
ardentibus animis impetuque vesano lapidibus cre-
bvis in eum velitantur. At ille cruentus et multis ante
flagitiis similibus exercitatus percussor iniecta lancea
duorum alterum per pectus medium transadegit :
nee tamen peremptus ac prorsum exanimatus adule-
scens ille terrae concidit ; nam telum transvectum
atque ex maxima parte pone tergum elapsum soloque
nisus violentia defixum rigore librato suspenderat
corpus. Sed et quidam de servulis procerus et
458

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
pieces ; and as soon as they heard the accustomed
hiss of their masters the shepherds, ran fiercely upon
them, roused to madness, and barking very horridly,
invading them on every side, wounding and tearing
them, and not sparing even them that sought to fly,
in so much that the more they fled to escape away,
the more cruel and terrible were the dogs. It for-
tuned amongst all this fearful company, that in run-
ning the youngest of the three brethren stumbled at
a stone, and bruising his toes fell down to the ground
to be a prey to these wild and furious dogs, and they
came upon him and tare him in pieces with their
teeth, whereby he cried out bitterly : his other two
brethren, hearing his lamentable voice, ran towards
him to help him, casting their cloaks about their left
arms, and took up stones to defend their brother and
chase away the dogs. But all was in vain, for they
could not make to cease nor drive away the fierce
beasts, but they must see their brother dismem-
bered in every part of his body ; who, lying at the
very point of death, desired his brethren to revenge
his death against the cruel tyrant, and therewithal
he gave up the ghost. The other two brethren,
perceiving so great a murder, did not only de-
spair of their only safety, but neglected their own
lives and madly dressed themselves against the
tyrant, and threw a great number of stones at
him ; but the bloody thief, exercised to such and
like mischiefs, took a spear and thrust one of them
clean through the body. Howbeit, although utterly
destroyed, he fell not down to the ground : for the
spear that came out at his back ran into the earth
with the force of the thrust and sustained him up
quivering in the air. By and by came one of this
tyrant's servants, the most sturdiest of the rest, to

459

LUCfUS APULEIUS

validus sicario illi ferens auxilium lapide contorto
tertii illius iuvenis dexterum brachium longo iactu
petierat, sed impetu casso per extremes digitos trans-
currens lapis contra omnium opinionem deciderat
38 innoxius. Nonnullam tamen sagacissimo iuveni pro-
ventus humanior vindictae speculam subministravit :
ficta namque manus suae debilitate sic crudelissimum
iuvenem compellat : " Fruere exitio totius nostrae
familiae et sanguine trium fratrum insatiabilem tuam
crudelitatem pasce, et de prostratis tuis civibus
gloriose triumpha, dum scias, licet private suis pos-
sessionibus paupere fines usque et usque protermina-
veris, habiturum te tamen vicinum aliquem. Nam
haec etiam dextera, quae tuum prorsus amputasset
caput, iniquitate fati contusa decidit." Quo sermone,
alioquin exasperatus, furiosus latro rapto gladio sua
miserrimum iuvenem manu perempturus invadit
avidus. Nee tamen sui molliorem provocarat, quippe
insperato et longe contra eius opinionem resistens
iuvenis complexu fortissimo arripit eius dexteram,
magnoque nisu ferro librato multis et crebris ictibus
impuram elidit divitis animam, et ut accurrentium
etiam familiarium manu se liberaret, confestim adhuc
inimici sanguine delibuto mucrone gulam sibi prorsus
exsecuit. Haec erant quae prodigiosa praesaga-
verant ostenta, haec quae miserrimo domino fuerant
nuntiata. Nee ullum verbum ac ne taciturn quidem
460

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
help his master ; and at his first coming, he took up a
stone and threw it from afar at the third brother, and
struck his left arm, but by reason the stone ran i>\-
the ends of his fingers it fell to the ground and did
not hurt him, which chanced otherwise than all
men's expectation was. Then did this fortunate
chance give the young man, that was very wise, a
hope for vengeance ; for he feigned that his arm was
greatly wounded, and spake these words unto the
cruel bloodsucker : " Now mayst thou, thou wretch,
triumph upon the destruction of all our family ; now
mayst thou feed thy insatiable cruelty with the blood
of three brethren ; now mayst thou rejoice at the fall
of thy fellow-citizens : yet think not but that how far
soever thou dost remove and extend the bounds of thy
land by depriving of poor men, thou shalt still have
some neighbour : but how greatly am I sorry in that by
the injustice of fate I have lost mine arm wherewithal
I minded to cut off thy head." When he had spoken
these words, the furious thief was the more enraged
and drew out his dagger, and running upon the young
man thought verily to have slain him : but it chanced
that he had attacked one no whit weaker than he,
for the young man resisted him stoutly beyond all
his expectation, and buckling together by violence
seized his right hand : which done, he poised the
weapon, and oft striking made the rich thief to
give up his guilty ghost, and to the intent the young
man would escape the hands of the servants, which
came running to assist their master, with the same
dagger that dripped with his enemy's blood he cut
his own throat. These things were signified by the
strange and dreadful wonders which fortuned in the
house of the wretched man, who, after he had heard
these sorrowful tidings, could in nowise even siK nth

461

LUCIUS APULEIUS

fletum tot malis circumventus senex quivit emittere,
sed arrepto ferro, quo commodum inter suos epulones
caseurn atque alias prandii partes diviserat, ipse quo-
que ad instar infelicissimi sui filii iugulum sibi multis
ictibus contrucidat, quoad super mensam cernulus
corruens portentuosi cruoris maculas novi sanguinis
fluvio proluit.

39 Ad istum modum puncto brevissimo dilapsae
domus fortunam hortulanus ille miseratus suosque
casus graviter ingemescens, deprensis pro prandio
lacrimis vacuasque manus complodens saepicule, pro-
tinus inscenso me retro, quam veneramus, viam capes-
sit. Nee innoxius ei saltern regressus evenit : nam
quidam procerus et, ut indicabat habitus atque habi-
tudo, miles e legione, factus nobis obvius, superbo
atque arroganti sermone percontatur quorsum vacuum
duceret asinum : at meus adhuc maerore permixtus
et alias Latini sermonis ignarus, tacitus praeteribat.
Nee miles ille familiarem cohibere quivit insolentiam
sed indignatus silentio eius ut convicio, viti quam
tenebat obtundens eum dorso meo proturbat. Tune
hortulanus supplicue respondit sermonis ignorantia
se quid ille diceret scire non posse : ergo igitur
Graece subiciens miles " Ubi " inquit "Ducis
asinum istum ? " Respondit hortulanus petere se
civitatem proxumam. " Sed mihi " inquit " Operae
eius opus est ; nam de proxumo castello sarcinas
praesidis nostri cum ceteris iumentis debet adve-
here," et iniecta statim manu loro me, quo duce-
462

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
weep, so far was he stricken into dolour, but pre-
sently taking the knife -wherewith he had but now
divided the cheese and other meat for his guests, he
cut his own throat with many blows like his most
unhappy son, in such sort that he fell head foremost
upon the board and washed away with the streams
of his blood in most miserable manner those pro-
digious drops which had before fallen thereon.

Hereby was my master the gardener deprived of
his hope, and pitying very greatly the evil fortune of
the house, which in a brief moment of time had thus
fallen in ruins, and getting instead of his dinner the
watery tears of his eyes, and clapping oft-times
together his empty hands, mounted upon my back,
and so we went homeward the same way as we came.
Yet was our return not free from harm : for as we
passed by the way we met with a tall soldier (for so
his habit and countenance declared) which was a
legionary, who with proud and arrogant words spake
to my master in this sort : " Whither lead you this
ass unladen ? " My master, still somewhat astonished
and fearful at the strange sights which he saw
before, and ignorant of the Latin tongue, rode on
and spak*e never a word. The soldier, unable to
refrain his proper insolence and offended at his
silence as it were an insult, struck him with a vine-
stick which he held on the shoulders, and thrust
him from my back. Then my master gently made
answer that he knew not his tongue and so under-
stood not what he said ; whereat the soldier angrily
demanded again, but in Greek, whither he rode with
his ass: "Marry," quoth he, "To the next city."
" But I," quoth the soldier, •' Have need of his help,
to carry the trusses of our captain with the other
beasts from yonder castle"; and therewithal he

463

LUCIUS APULEIUS

bar, arreptum incipit trahere. Sed hortulanus prioris
plagae vulnere prolapsum capite sanguinem deter-
gens rursus deprecatur civilius atque mansuetius
versari commilitonem, idque per spes prosperas eius
orabat adiurans. " Nam et hie ipse " aiebat " Iners
asellus et nihilo minus morbo detestabili caducus
vix etiam paucos holerum manipulos de proxumo
hortulo solet anhelitu languido fatigatus subvehere.
nedum ut rebus amplioribus idoneus videatur gerulus."
40 Sed ubi nullis precibus mitigari militem magisque in
suam perniciem advertit efferari, iamque inversa vite
de vastiore nodulo cerebrum suum diffindere, currit
ad extrema subsidia, simulansque e re ad commo-
vendam miserationem genua eius velle contingere,
summissus atque incurvatus, arreptis eius utrisque
pedibus sublimem elatum terrae graviter applodit, et
statim qua pugnis, qua cubitis, qua morsibus, etiam de
via lapide correpto totam faciem manusque eius et
latera converberat. Nee ille ut primum humi supina-
tus est, vel repugnare vel omnino munire se potuit
sed plane' identidem comminabatur, si surrexisset,
sese concisurum eum machaera sua frustatim. Quo
sermone eius commonefactus hortulanus eripit ei
spatham eaque longissime abiecta rursum saevioribus
eum plagis aggreditur: nee ille prostratus et prae-
ventus vulneribus ullum repperire saluti quiens sub-
sidium, quod solum restabat, simulat sese mortuum.
Tune spatham illam secum asportans hortulanus
inscenso me concito gradu recta festinat ad civitatem,
nee hortulum suum saltern curans invisere, ad quem-
piam sibi devertit familiarem, cunctisque narratis
deprecatur periclitanti sibi ferret auxilium seque cum
46*

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
took me by the halter, and would violently have
taken me away : but my master, wiping away from
his head the blood of the blow which he received of
the soldier, desired him gently and civilly to take
some pity upon him, and to let' him depart with his
own, conjuring him by all that he hoped of good
fortune, and affirming that his slow ass, well nigh
dead with sickness, could scarce carry a few handfuls
of herbs from his garden hard by, being very scant of
breath ; much less he was able to bear any greater
trusses. But when he saw the soldier would in no
wise be entreated, but was the more bent on his
destruction, and ready with his staff to cleave my
master's head with its thicker part, being desperate
he fell down grovelling at his feet, under colour to
touch his knees and move him to some pity; but
when he saw his time, he took the soldier by the
legs and cast him upon the ground : then straight-
way he buffeted him, thumped him, bit him, and took
a stone and beat his face and his sides, so that he,
being first laid along the ground, could not turn or
defend himself, but only threaten that if ever he
rose he would chop him in pieces. The gardener,
when he heard him say so, was advised and drew
out his sword which he had by his side, and when he
had thrown it far away, he knocked and beat him
more cruelly than he did before, in so much that thr
soldier as he lay all hurt with wounds could not tell
by what means to save himself, but only by feigning
he was dead. Then my master took the sword and
mounted upon my back, riding straight in all haste
to the next village ; but he had no regard to go to
his garden, and when he came thither, he turned
into one of his friends' house and declared all the
whole matter, desiring him to save his life, and to
2c 465

U'CIUS APULEIUS

suo sibi asino tantisper occultaret, quoad celatus
spatio bidui triduive capitalem causam evaderet.
Nee oblitus ille veteris amicitiae prompte suscipit,
meque per scalas complicitis pedibus in superius
cenaculum attracto, hortulanus deorsus in ipsa taber-
nacula derepit in quandam cistulam et superingesto
delitescit orificio.

41 At miles ille, ut postea didici, tandem velut
emersus gravi crapula, nutabundus tamen et tot
plagarum dolore saucius baculoque se vix sustinens
civitatem adventat, confususque de impotentia deque
inertia suaquicquam ad quemquam referre popularium,
sed tacitus iniuriam devorans, quosdam commilitones
nanctus, is tantum clades enarrat suas. Placuit ut
ipse quidem contubernio se tantisper absconderet
(nam praeter propriam contumeliam militaris etiam
sacramenti genium ob amissam spatham verebatur),
ipsi autem signis nostris enotatis investigationi
vindictaeque sedulam darent operam : nee defuit
vicinus perfidus qui nos illico occultari nuntiaret.
Turn commilitoaes accersitis magistratibus menti-
untur sese multi pretii vasculum argenteum prae-
sidis in via perdidisse, idque hortulanum quendam
repperisse nee velle restituere, sed apud familiarem
quendam sibi delitescere. Tune magistratus et danmo
466

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX
hide himself and his ass awhile in some secret place,
that he might be hid for the space of two or three
days, until such time as all danger were past. Then
his friend, not forgetting the ancient amity between
them, entertained him willingly, and tying my legs
drew me up a. pair of stairs into a chamber, while
my master, remaining in the shop, crept into a
chest and lay hidden there with the cover closed
fast.

The soldier (as 1 afterwards learned) rose up at
last as one awakened from a drunken sleep, but he
could scarce go by reason of his wounds, howbeit,
at length, by little and little, through aid of his staff,
he came to the town ; but he would not declare the
matter to any person, nor complain to any justice,
but inwardly digested his injury, lest he should be
accused of cowardice or dastardness. Yet in the end
he told some of his companions of all the matter that
happened ; but they advised him that he should
remain for awhile closed in some secret place, think-
ing that beside the injury which he had received,
he should be accused of the breach of his faith and
soldier's oath, by reason of the loss of his sword,1
and that they should diligently learn the signs and
appearance of my master and me to search him out
and take vengeance upon him. At last, there was an
unfaithful neighbour that told them where we were :
then incontinently the soldiers went to the justice,
declaring that they had lost by the way a silver goblet
of their captain's, very precious, and that a gardener
had found it, who, refusing to render up the goblet,
was hidden in one of his friends' house. By and by
the magistrate, understanding the loss of the captain,
1 A soldier's loss of his sword was considered equal to
desertion, and punished with equal severity.

467

LUCIUS A PU LEI US

et praesidis nomine cognito veniunt ad deversorii
nostri fores clavaque voce denuntiant hospiti iiostro
noSj quos occultaret aj)ud se certo certius, dedere
potius quam discrimen proprii subiret capitis. Nee
ille tantillum conterritus salutique studens eius quem
in suam receperat fidem, quicquam de nobis fa-
tetur ac diebus plusculis nee vidisse quidem ilium
hortulanum contendit : contra commilitones ibi nee
uspiam ilium delitescere adiurantes genium principis
contendebant. Postremum magistratibus placuit
obstinate denegantem scrutinio detegere ; immissis
itaque lictoribus ceterisque publicis ministeriis angu-
latim cuncta sedulo perlustrari iubent : nee quisquam
mortalium ac ne ipse quidem asinus intra limen com-
42 parere nuntiatur. Tune gliscit violentior utrimque-
secus contentio : militum pro comperto de nobis as-
severantium fidemque Caesaris identidem imploran-
tium, at illius negantis assidueque deum numen
obtestantis. Qua contentione et clamoso strepitu
cognito, curiosus alioquin et inquieti procacitate
praeditus asinus, dum obliquata cervice per quandam
fenestrulam quidnam sibi vellet tumultus ille pro-
spicere gestio, unus e commilitonibus casu fortuito
collimatis oculis ad umbram meam cunctos testatur
incoram. Magnus denique continue clamor exortus
est, et emensis protenus scalis iniecta manu quidam
me velut captivum detrahunt. lamque^omni sublata
cunctatione scrupulosius contemplantes singula, cista
etiam ilia revelata repertum productumque et oblatum
magistratibus miserum hortulanum, poenas scilicet

468

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

and who he was, came to the doors where we were,
and in a loud voice exhorted our host that it were
better to deliver up my master than to incur pain
of death ; for most certainly he was hiding us.
Howbeit, these threatenings could not enforce him
to confess that he was within his doors, and he was
nothing afraid, but by reason of his faithful promise,
and for the safeguard of his friend, he said that he
knew naught of us, nor saw he the gardener a great
while. The soldiers said contrary, swearing by the
deity 01 the Emperor that he lay there, and nowhere
else. Whereby, to know the verity of the matter,
the magistrates commanded their Serjeants and
ministers to search every corner of the house ; but
there they could find nobody, neither gardener nor
ass. Then was there a great contention between
the soldiers and our host, for they said we were
within the house, calling often upon Caesar in their
oaths ; and he said no, and swore much and often by
all the gods to the same intent. But I, that was an
ass very curious and restless in my nature, when I
heard so great a noise craned my neck and put my
head out of a little window to learn what the stir
and tumult did signify. It fortuned that one of the
soldiers, spying about, perceived my shadow, where-
upon he began to cry, saying that he had certainly
seen me : then they were all glad and a great
shouting arose, and they brought a ladder and came
up into the chamber and pulled me down like a
prisoner ; and when they had found me, they doubted
nothing of the gardener, but seeking alxmt more
narrowly, at length they found him couched in a
chest. And so they brought out the jx>or gardener
to the justices, who was committed immediately to
prison, in order that he might suffer the pain of

469

LUCIUS APULEIUS

capite pensurnm in j)ublicum declucunt carcerem,
summoque risu meum prospectum cavillari non de-
sinunt. Unde etaim de prospectu et umbra asini
natum est frequens proverbium.

i Apuleius has here combined two Greek proverbs of con-
siderably greater antiquity than his story, t£ 6vov ira/ja/ctffewj
and virtp 6vov <r/u£s. The first is variously explained. There
is a tale that a donkey broke some vessels in a potter's shop
by going to look out of the window; the potter sued its
master for damages, and when asked by the magistrate the
subject of his complaint, answered " of the peeping of an

470

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK IX

death ; but they could never forbear laughing and
jesting how I looked out from my window : from
which, and from my shadow, is risen the common
proverb of the peeping and shadow of an ass.1

ass"; or it has been explained that, frightened by an ass
looking on, some game-birds flew suddenly away and avoided
or broke a fowler's nets. The other proverb is derived from
a story that a man who hired an ags lay down to sleep in its
shadow on a hot day, and the animal's master objected that
he had hired only the ass and not its shadow ; and the re-
sulting lawsuit brought into proverbial use the expression
"about an ass's shadow" to describe a dispute about a wholly
trivial matter.

471

LIBER X

1 DIE sequenti meus quitlem dominus hortulanus quid
egerit nescio, me tamen miles ille, qui propter
eximiam impotentiam pulcherrime vapularat, ab illo
praesepio nullo equidem contradicente deductum al>-
ducit atque a suo contubernio (hoc enim mihi vide-
batur) sarcinis propriis onustum et prorsum exornatum
armatumque militariter producit ad viam. Nam et
galeam gerebam nitore praemicantem et scutum
longius relucens sed etiam lanceam longissimo hastili
conspicuam, quae scilicet non disciplinae tune quidem
causa sed propter terrendos miseros viatores in
summo atque edito sarcinarum cumulo ad instar
exercitus sedulo composuerat. Confecta campestri
nee adeo difficili via ad quandam civitatulam per-
venimus, nee in stabulo sed in domo cuiusdam
decurionis devertimus, statimque me commendato
cuidam servulo ipse ad praepositum suum, qui
mille armatorum ducatum sustinebat, sollicite pro-
ficiscitur.

2 Post dies plusculos ibidem dissignatum scelestum
ac nefarium facinus memini, sed ut vos etiam lega-
tis, ad librum profero. Dominus aedium habebat
iuvenem filium probe litteratum atque ob id conse-
quenter pietate, modestia praecipuum, quem tibi
472

BOOK X

THE next day how my master the gardener sped I
know not, but the gentle soldier, who had been so well
beaten for his exceeding cowardice, led me from my
manger to his lodging (as it seemed to me) without
the contradiction of any man. There he laded me
well, and garnished my body for the way like an ass
of arms. For on the one side I bare a helmet that
shined exceedingly ; on the other side a target that
glittered more a thousandfold ; and on the top of my
burden he had put a long spear. Now these things la-
placed thus gallantly, not because such was the rule
of arms, but to the end he might make fear those
which passed by, when they saw such a similitude of
war piled upon the heap of baggage When we had
gone a good part of our journey, over the plain ami
easy fields, we fortuned to come to a little town,
where we lodged, not at an inn, but at a certain
corporal's house. And there the soldier took me to one
of the servants, M'hile he himself went carefully towards
his captain, who had the charge of a thousand men.
When we had remained there a few days, I
understood of a wicked and mischievous deed
committed there, which I have put in writing, to
the end you may know the same. The master
of the house had a young son instructed in good
literature, and therefore endowed with virtuous
manners, but especially with shamefastness, such
a one as you would desire to have the like. Now

473

LUCIUS APULEIUS

quoque provenisse cuperes vel talem. Hunts matre
multo ante defuncta, rursum matriinoniiim sibi repara-
verat, ductaque alia filium procreaverat alium, qui
adaequeiam duodecimum annumaetatis supercesserat.
Sed noverca forma magis quam moribus in domo mariti
praepollens, seu naturaliter impudica seu fato ad ex-
tremum impulsa flagitium, oculos ad privignum
adiecit : iam ergo, lector optime, scito te tragoediam,
non fabulam legere, et a socco ad cothurnum ascen-
dere. Sed mulier ilia quamdiu primis elementis
Cupido parvulus nutriebatur, imbecillis adhuc eius
viribus facile ruborem tenuem deprimens silentio
resistebat : at ubi, completis igne vesano totis prae-
cordiis, immodice bacchatus Amor exaestuabat,
saevienti deo iam succubuit, et languore simulate
vulnus animi mentitur in corporis valetudine. Iam
cetera salutis vultusque detrimenta et aegris et
amantibus examussim convenire nemo qui nesciat :
pallor deformis, marcentes oculi, lassa genua, quies
turbida et suspiritus cruciatus tarditate vehementior :
crederes et illam fluctuare tantum vaporibus febrium.
nisi quod et flebat. Heu medicorum ignarae mentes !
Quid venae pulsus, quid caloris intemperantia, quid
fatigatus anhelitus et utrimquesecus iactatae crebriter
laterum mutuae vicissitudines ? Dii boni ! Quam
facilis licet non artifici medico, cuivis tamen docto
Veneriae cupidinis comprehensio, cum videas aliquem
474

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

his mother died a long time before, ;md then
his father married a new wife, and had another
child, that was now of the full age of twelve yrars.
This stepdame was more excellent in beauty than
honesty in her husband's house; for she loved this
young man her son-in-law, either because she was
unchaste by nature, or because she was enforced In-
flate to commit so great a mischief. Gentle reader,
thou shalt not read of a fable, but rather a tragedy,
and must here change from sock to buskin.1 This
woman, when little Cupid first began to do his work
in her heart, could easily resist his weak strength,
and pressed down in silence her desire and inordinate
appetite, by reason of shame and fear ; but after that
Love compassed and burned with his mad fire every
part of her breast, she was compelled to yield unto
this raging Cupid, and under colour of disease and
infirmity of her body to conceal the wound of her
restless mind. Every man knoweth well the signs
and tokens of love, "and how that sickness is con-
venient to the same, working upon health and
countenance; her countenance was pale, her eyes
sorrowful, her knees weak, her rest disturbed, and
she would sigh deeply by reason of her slow tonm-nt ;
there was no comfort in her, but continual weeping
and sobbing, in so much you would have thought
that she had some spice of an ague, saving that she
wept unreasonably. The physicians knew not her
disease 2 when they felt the beating of h.-r veins, the
intemperance of her heat, the sobbing sighs, and her
often tossing on every side; no, no, the cunning
physicians knew it not, but a scholar of Venus court

1 The soccus was the low shoe of the comic actor ; the
cothurnus, the high boot of the tragedian.

2 CD Aen IV 65 : " Heu vaturn ignarae mentes I

475

LUCIUS APULEIUS

S sine corporis calore flagrantem. Ergo igitur ini-
patientia furoris altius agitata diutinum rupit silen-
tium et ad se vocari praecipit filium : quod nomen
in eo, si posset, ne ruboris admoneretur, libenter
eraderet. Nee adulescens aegrae parentis moratus
imperiurn, senili tristitie striatam gerens frontem
cubiculum petit, uxori patris matrique fratris utcum-
que debitum sistens obsequium. Sed ilia cruciabili
silentio diutissime fatigata, et ut in quodam vado
dubitationis haerens, omne verbum quod praesenti
sermoni putabat aptissimum rursum improbans,
nutante etiam nunc pudore, unde potissimum caperet
exordium decunctatur. At iuvenis nihil etiam tune
sequius suspicatus, summisso vultu rogat ultro prae-
sentes causas aegritudinis. Tune ilia nancta soli-
tudinis damnosam ocoasionem, prorumpit in audaciam,
et ubertim allacrimans laciniaque contegens faciein
voce trepida sic eum breviter affatur : " Causa omnis
et origo praesentis doloris et etiam medela ipsa et
salus unica mihi tute ipse es : isti enim tui oculi per
meos oculos ad intima delapsi praecordia meis
medullis acerrimum commovent incendium. Ergo
miserere tua causa pereuntis nee te religio patris
omnino deterreat, cui morituram prorsus servabis
uxorem : illius enim recognoscens imaginem in tua
facie merito te diligo. Habes solitudinis plenam
476

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

might easily conject the whole, seeing one burning
without any bodily fire. So after that she had been
long time tormented in her overmastering affection,
and was no more able to keep silence, she caused her
son to be called for (which word " son " she would
fain put away, that she might not be rebuked of
shame). Then he, nothing disobedient to the com-
mandment of his ailing mother, with a sad and
modest countenance, wrinkled like some old grand-
sire, came with due obedience into the chamber of
his stepdame, the mother of his brother ; but she,
being utterly wearied with the silence that she had
kept so long to her torment, was in great doubt what
she might do ; for she rejected within herself every
word which she had before thought most apt for this
meeting, and could not tell what to say first, by
reason of her shame which still trembled before its
fall. This young man even then suspecting no ill,
with humble courtesy and downcast countenance
demanded the cause of her present disease. Thru
she, having found the occasion to utter her wirkrd
intent, put on boldness, and with weeping eyes and
covered face began with trembling voice to speak
unto him in this manner: "Thou, thou art the
original cause of my present dolour ; but thou too art
my medicine and only health, for those thy comely
eyes have so pierced through these eyes of mine
and are so fastened within my breast, that they have
kindled therein a raging and a roaring fire. Have
pity therefore upon me that die by thy fault, neither
let thy conscience reclaim to offend thy father, when
as thou mayest save his wife for him from death. More-
over, since as thou dost resemble thy father's shape
in every point, I do justly fancy thee, seeing his
image in thy face. Now is ministered unto thee

477

LUCIUS APULEIUS

fiduciary habes capax necessarii facir.oris otium ;
nam quod nemo novit, paene non fit."
4 Repentino malo perturbatus adulescens quam-
quam tale facinus protinus exhorruisset, non tamen
negationis intempestiva severitate putavit exasper-
andum, sed cautae promissionis dilatione leniendum.
Ergo prolixe pollicetur, et bonum caperet animum
refectionique se ac saluti redderet impendio suadet,
donee patris aliqua profectione liberum voluptati
concederetur spatium, statimque se refert a noxio
conspectu novercae, et tarn magnam domus cladem
ratus indigere consilio pleniore ad quendam comper-
tae gravitatis educatorem senera protinus refert : nee
quicquam diutina deliberatione tarn salubre visum
quam fuga celeri procellam fortunae saevientis eva-
dere. Sed impatiens vel exiguae dilationis mulier
ficta qualioet causa confestim marito miris persuadet
artibus ad longissime dissitas festinare villulas. Quo
facto maturatae spei vesania praeceps promissae libi-
dinis flagitat vadimonium : sed iuvenis modo istud
modo aliud causae faciens execrabilem frustratur eitis
conspectum, quoad ilia nuntiorum varietate pollici-
tationem sibi denegatam manifesto perspiciens, mobi-
litate lubrica nefarium amorem ad longe deterius
transtulisset odium, et assumpto statini nequissimo
478

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

time and place ; now hast thou occasion to work thy
will, seeing that we are alone. And it is a common
saying : ' Never known, never done.' "

This young man, troubled in his mind at so
sudden an ill, although he abhorred to commit so
great a crime, yet he would not be rashly stern to undo
her yet more with a present denial, but warily paci-
fied her mind with delay of promise. Wherefore with
long speech he promised her to do all according to
her desire : and in the mean season, he willed his
mother to be of good cheer, and comfort herself and
look to her health, till as he might find some con-
venient time to come unto her, when his father was
ridden forth : wherewithal he got him away from
the pestilent sight of his stepdame. And knowing
that this matter touching the ruin of all the whole
house needed the counsel of wise and grave persons,
he went incontinently to a sage old man, a tutor,
and declared the whole circumstance. The old man,
after long deliberation, thought there was no better
mean to avoid the storm of cruel fortune to come
than to run away. In the mean season this wicked
woman, impatient of any delay how little soever,
egged her husband to ride abroad to visit some far
lands that he had : then she, maddened by the hope
that had now (as she thought) grown rife, asked the
young man the accomplishment of his promise ; but
he, to avoid the sight of her whom he hated, would
find always excuses from appearing before her, till in
the end she understood by the various colour of the
messages which he sent her that he nothing regarded
her. Then she, in her fickle mood, by how much
she wickedly loved him before, by so much and more
she hated him now. And by and by she r.-illrd ""••
of her servants who had conic with her among her

479

LUCIUS APULEIUS

et ad omne facinus emancipate quodam dotali servulo
perfidiae suae consilia communicat : nee quicquam
melius videtur quam vita miserum privare iuvenem.
Ergo missus continue furcifer venenum praesentarium
comparat, idque vino diligenter dilutum insontis pri-
vigni praeparat exitio.

5 Ac dum de oblationis opportunitate secum noxii
deliberant homines, forte fortuna puer ille iunior,
proprius pessimae feminae films, post matutinum la-
borem studiorum domum se recipiens, prandio iam
capto sitiens repertum vini poculum, in quo venenum
latebat inclusum, nescius fraudis occultae continuo
perduxit haustu, atque, ubi fratri suo paratam mor-
tem ebibit, exanimis terrae procumbit. Illicoque re-
pentina pueri pernicie paedagogus commotus ululabili
clamore matrem totamque ciet familiam, iamque cog-
nito casu noxiae potionis varie quisque praesentium
auctores insimulabant extremi facinoris. Sed dira
ilia femina et malitiae novercalis exemplar unicuin,
non acerba filii morte, non parricidii conscientia, non
infortunio domus, non luctu mariti vel aerumna funeris
commota cladem familiae in vindictae compendium
traxit, missoque protinus cursore, qui vianti marito
domus expugnationem nuntiaret, ac mox eodem ocius
ab itinere regresso, personata iiimia temeritate in-
480

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

dowry, the worst of all and ready to all mischiefs, to
whom she declared all her treacherous secrets. And
there it was concluded between them two, that the,
surest way was to kill the young man : whereupon
this varlet went incontinently to buy poison, which
he mingled with wine, to the intent he would give
it the innocent young man to drink, and thereby
presently to kill him.

But while the guilty ones were in deliberation
how they might offer it unto him, behold, here
happened a strange adventure. For the young son
of that evil woman that came from school at noon
(being very thirsty after his dinner) took the pot
wherein the poison was mingled, and ignorant of the
hidden venom drank a good draught thereof, which
was prepared to kill his brother: whereby he presently
fell down to the ground dead. His schoolmaster,1
annoyed by this sudden chance, called his mother
and all the servants of the house with a loud voice.
Incontinently when the poisoned cup was known
every man declared his opinion touching the death
of the child ; but the cruel woman, the signal ex-
ample of stepmother's malice, was nothing moved
by the bitter death of her son, or by her own con-
science of parricide, or by the misfortune of her
house, or by the dolour of her husband, or by the
affliction of this death, but rather devised the de-
struction of all her family to fulfil her desire to be
avenged. For by and by she sent a messenger after
her husband to tell him the great misfortune which
happened after his departure. And when he came
home the wicked woman, putting on a bold face

l The jKiedayogus was a trusted slave who conducted the
boy to and from school, and had charge of him when at
home.

LUCIUS APULEIUS

simulat privigni veneno filium suum interceptum.
Et hoc quidem non adeo mentiebatur, quod iam
destinatam iuveni mortem praevenisset puer; sed
fratrem iuniorem fingebat ideo privigni scelere per-
emptum, quod eius probrosae libidini, qua se com-
primere temptaverat, noluisset succumbere. Nee
tarn immanibus contenta mendaciis addebat sibi quo-
que ob detectum flagitium eundem ilium gladium
comminari. Tune infelix duplici filiorum morte per-
cussus magnis aerumnarum procellis aestuat : nam et
iuniorem incoram sui funerari videbat, et alterum ob
incestum parricidiumque capitis scilicet damnatum
iri certo sciebat. Ad hoc uxoris dilectae nimium
mentitis lamentationibus ad extremum subolis im-
pellebatur odium.

6 Vixdum pompae funebres et sepultura filii fuerat
explicata, et statim ab ipso eius rogo senex infelix,
ora sua recentibus adhuc rigans lacrimis trahensque
cinere sordentem canitiem, foro se festinus immittit
atque ibi, turn fletu, turn precibus, genua etiam de-
curionum contingens, nescius fraudium pessimae
mulieris, in exitium reliqui filii plenis operabatur
affectibus : ilium incestum paterno thalamo, ilium
parricidam fraterno exitio et in comminata novercae
caede sicarium. Tanta denique miseratione tantaque
indignatione curiam sed et plebem maerens inflam-
maverat, ut remoto iudicandi taedio et accusationis
manifestis probationibus et responsionis meditatis
ambagibus cuncti conclamarint lapidibus obrutum
publicum malum publice vindicari.

482

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

beyond all reason, declared that her son had been
taken off with his brother's poison. And so far she
spoke no lie, inasmuch as the boy had forestalled the
death that was prepared for the young man ; but she
feigned that he had been for this reason murdered by
his brother's crime, because she would not consent
to his evil will which he had had towards her, and
told him divers other leasings, adding in the end
that he threatened with his sword to kill her like-
wise, because she discovered the fact. Then the
unhappy father was stricken with a double storm of
dolour at the death of his two children, for on the
one side he saw his younger slain before his eyes, on
the other side he seemed to see the elder condemned
to die for his offences both of incest and of parricide,
and where he beheld his dear wife lament in such
sort, it gave him further occasion to hate his son
more deadly.

But the funerals of his younger son were scarce
finished, when the old man the father, even at the
return from the grave, with weeping eyes and his
white hair befouled with ashes went apace to the
justice and worked with all his might for the
destruction of his remaining son, accusing him of
the incest that he had attempted, of the slaughter ot
his brother, and how he threatened to slay his wife ;
knowing naught of that wicked woman's wiles, he
besought the magistrates with tears and prayers,
yea, even embracing their knees, for this son's
death. Hereby with weeping and lamentation he
inflamed all the elders and the people as well to
pity and indignation, in so much that without any
delay of trial or further inquisition or the careful
pleading of defenders they cried all that he should
be stoned to death, to the end that this public criiin-

483

LUCIUS APULEIUS

Magistrates interim metu periculi proprii, ne de

parvis indignationis elementis ad exitium disciplinae

civitatisque seditio procederet, partim decuriones

deprecari, partim populares compescere, ut rite et

more maiorum iudicio reddito et utrimquesecus alleg-

ationibus examinatis, civiliter sententia promeretur,

nee ad instar barbaricae feritatis vel tyrannicae im-

potentiae damnaretur aliquis inauditus, et in pace

placida tarn dirum saeculo proderetur exemplum.

7 Placuit salubre consilium et illico iussus praeco* pro-

nuntiat patres in curiam convenirent. Quibus pro-

tenus dignitatis iure consueta loca residentibus rur-

sum praeconis vocatu primus accusator incedit. Tune

demum clamatus inducitur etiam reus et exemplo

legis Atticae Martiique iudicii causae patronis de-

nuntiat praeco neque principia dicere neque misera-

tionem commovere. Haec ad istum modum gesta

compluribus mutuo sermocinantibus cognovi : quibus

autem verbis accusator urserit, quibus rebus diluerit

reus, ac prorsus orationes altercationesque neque

ipse absens apud praesepium scire neque ad vos

quae ignoravi possum enuntiare, sed quae plane

comperi ad istas Htteras proferam. Simul eniin

finita est dicentium contentio, veritatem criminum

fidemque probationibus certis instrui nee suspicioni-

bus tantam coniecturam permitti placuit, atque

484

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

might be publicly revenged ; but the justices, fearing
lest a farther inconvenience might arise to them-
selves by a particular vengeance, and to the end
there might fortune from a little beginning no sedi-
tion amongst the people with public riot, prayed the
decurions and the people of the city to proceed by
examination of witnesses on both sides, like good
citizens, and with order of justice according to the
ancient custom ; for the giving of any hasty sentence
or judgement without hearing of the contrary part,
such as the barbarous and cruel tyrants accustom
to use, would give an ill example in time of peace to
their successors.

This safe opinion pleased every man ; wherefore
the senators and counsellors were called by an
herald, who, being placed in order according to
their dignity, caused first the accuser %nd thru only
the defender (again by the voice of the herald) to be
brought forth, and by the example of the Athenian
law, and judgement of Mars' hill, their advocates
were commanded to plead their causes briefly, with-
out preambles or motions of the people to pity.
(And if you demand how I understand all this
matter, you shall understand that I heard many
declare the same in talking among themselves, but
to recite what words the accuser used in his in-
vective, what answer and excuses the defender made,
in fine the orations and pleadings of each party,
verily this I am not able to do, for I was fa>t bound
at the manger ; but as I learned and knew by others,
I will, God willing, declare unto you.) So it was
ordered that after the pleadings of l>oth sides M.-IS
ended, they thought best to try and bolt out fee
verity of the charges by witnesses, all presumptions
and likelihoods set apart in so great a case, and to call

M0

LUCIUS APULEIUS

ilium potissimum servum, qui solus haec ita gesta
esse scire diceretur, sisti modis omnibus oportere.
Nee tantillum cruciarius ille vel fortuna tarn magni
iudicii vel confertae conspectu curiae vel certe noxia
conscientia sua deterritus, quae ipse finxerat quasi
vera asseverare atque asserere incipit : quod se
vocasset indignatus fastidio novercae iuvenis, quod
ulciscens iniuriam filii eius mandaverit necem, quod
promisisset grande silentii praemium, quod recusaiiti ]
mortem sit comminatus, quod venenum sua manu
temperatum dandum fratri reddiderit, quod ad cri-
minis probationem reservatum poculum neglexisse
suspicatus sua postremum manu porrexerit puero.
Haec eximie mentita 1 ad veritatis imaginem verbe-
rone illo simulata cum trepidatione perferente
Sfinitum est iudicium. Nee quisquam decurionum
tarn aequus remanserat iuveni, quin eum evidenter
noxae compertum insui culleo pronuntiaret. Cum
iam sententiae pares, cunctorum stilis ad ununi
sermonem congruentibus, ex more perpetuo in
urnam aeream deberent conici, quo semel conditis
calculis, iam cum rei fortuna transacto, nihil postea

i Bluemner's en:endation for the MSS' eximia enim, which
gives no sense.

486

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

in chiefly the servant, who only was reported to know
all the matter. By and by this rope-ripe slave came
in, who, nothing abashed at the fear of so great a
judgement, or at the presence of the judges in con-
clave, or at his own guilty conscience, began to tell
and to swear as true all those lies which he so finely
feigned. With a bold countenance he presented
himself before the justices, and confirmed the accu-
sation against the young man, saying : " O ye judges,
on a day when this young man loathed and hated his
stepmother he called me, desiring me to poison his
brother, whereby he might revenge himself, and if I
would do it, and keep the matter secret, he promised
to give me a good reward for my pains ; but when
the young man perceived that I would not accord to
his will, he threatened to slay me : whereupon he
went himself and bought poison, and after tempered
it with wine, and then gave it me to give to the
child ; but when he thought that I did it not, but
kept it to be a witness off his crime, he offered it to
his brother with his own hands." When the varlet
with a feigned and trembling countenance had ended
these words, which seemed a likelihood of truth, the
judgement was ended : neither was there found any
judge or counsellor so merciful to the young man
accused as would not judge him culpable, but rather
gave sentence that he should be put and sewn in the
leather sack for parricides.1 Wherefore, since the
sentences of all were alike, and all did agree to the
same verdict, there wanted nothing but (as the
ancient custom was) to put the sentences into a
brazen pot, and when once they were cast thither,
the decision of fate being finally taken, it should

1 The parricide was sewn up in a sack with a dog, a cock, a
snake and an ape, and thrown into a river or the sea.

487

LUCIUS APULEIUS

eommutari licebat, sed mancipabatur potestas capitis
in manum carnificis, unus e curia senior, prae ceteris
compertae fidei atque auctoritatis praecipuae medi-
cus, orificium urnae manu contegens ne quis mitteret
calculum temere, haec ad ordinem pertulit :

" Quod aetatis sum, vobis approbatum me vixisse
gaudeo, nee patiar falsis criminibus petito reo mani-
festum homicidium perpetrari,nec vos, qui iureiurando
astricti iudicatis, inductos servuli mendacio peierare.
Ipse non possum calcata numinum religione conscien-
tiam meam fallens perperam pronuntiare : ergo ut
9 res est, de me cognoscite. Furcifer iste, venenum
praesentarium comparare sollicitus centumque aureos
solidos offerens pretium, me non olim convenerat,
quod aegroto cuidam dicebat necessariurn, qui morbi
inextricabilis veterno vehementer implicatus vitae
se cruciatui subtrahere gestiret. At ego perspiciens
malum istum verberonem blaterantem atque incon-
cinne causificantem,certusque aliquodmoliriflagitium,
dedt quidem potionem, dedi ; sed futurae quaestioni
praecavens non statim pretium quod offerebatur
accepi, sed ' Ne forte aliquis ' inquam e Istorum
quos offers aureorum nequam vel adulter repperiatur,
in hoc ipso sacculo conditos eos annulo tuo praenota,
donee altera die nummulario praesente compro-

488

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK \

remain a thing irrevocable,- but he would be de-
livered to the hands of the executioner. Then
there arose a sage ancient of the court, a physician
of good conscience and credit throughout all the
city, that stopped the mouth of the pot that none
might rashly cast his stone therein, saying thus
before the assembly :

" I am right glad, ye reverend judges, that I am a
man of name and estimation amongst you all the days
of my life, whereby I am accounted such a one as will
not suffer any person to be put to death by false and
untrue accusations, neither you (being sworn to judge
uprightly) to be misinformed and abused by invented
lies, and tales of a slave. For I cannot but declare
and open my conscience, lest I should be found to
bear small honour and faith to the gods : wherefore
I pray you give ear, and I will shew you the whole
truth of the matter. You shall understand that this
servant, which hath merited to be hanged, came one
of these days to speak with me, promising to give
me a hundred crowns if I would give him a present
poison, which would cause a man to die suddenly,
saying that he would have it for one that was sick of
an incurable disease, to the end he might be delivered
from all his torment. But I, perceiving that the
varlet was talking foolishness and telling a clumsy
tale, and fearing lest he would work some mischief
withal, gave him a potion, yea, I gave it; but to the
intent I might clear myself from all danger that
might happen, I would not presently take the money
which he offered : but lest any one of the crowns
should lack weight or be found counterfeit, I willrd
him to seal the purse wherein they were put with his
manual ring, whereby the next day we might go
together to the goldsmith to try them. This he did,

489

LUCIUS APULEIUS

bentur.' Sic inductus signavit pecuniam, quam ex-
inde ut iste repraesentatus est iudicio, iussi de meis
aliquem curriculo taberna promptam afferre, et en
ecce perlatam coram exhibeo. Videat et suum sigillum
recognoscat : nam quemadmodum eius veneni frater
insimulari potest quod iste comparaverit? "
10 Ingens exinde verberonem corripit trepidatio et
in vicem humani colons succedit pallor infernus, per-
que universa membra frigidus sudor emanabat : tune
pedes incertisalternationibuscommovere, modo hanc
modo illam capitis partem scalpere, et ore semiclauso
balbutiens nescioquas afannas effutire, ut eum nemo
prorsus a culpa vacuum merito credere t. Sed
revalescente rursus astutia constantissime negare et
accersere mendacii non desinit medicum. Qui praeter
iudicii religionem cum fidem suam coram lacerari vi-
deret, multiplicato studio verberonem ilium contendit
redarguere, donee iussu magistratuum ministeria pub-
lica contrectatis nequissimi servi manibus annulum
ferreum deprehensum cum signo sacculi conferunt,
quae comparatio praecedentem roboravit suspicionem.
Nee rota vel equuleus more Graecorum tormentis
eius apparata iam deerant, sed offirmatus mira prae-
sumptione nullis verberibus ac ne ipso qu'tdem
succumbit igni.
490

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X
and sealed up the money ; wherefore understanding
that he was brought present before you this day, I
hastily commanded one of my servants to fetch the
purse from my house, and here I bring it unto you
to see whether he shall deny his own sign or no : and
you may easily conject that his words are untrue,
which he alleged against the young man touching
the buying of the poison, considering Ije bought the
poison himself."

When the physician had spoken these words, you
might perceive how the traitorous knave changed his
colour, becoming deathly pale from the natural
complexion of a man, how he sweated cold for fear,
how he trembled in every part of his body, how he
set one leg uncertainly before another, scratching
now this, now that part of his head, and began to
stammer forth some foolish trifles, his lips but half
open, whereby there was no person but would judge
him culpable. In the end when he was somewhat
returned to his former subtilty, he began to deny all
that was said, and stoutly affirmed that the physician
did lie. But the physician, besides the oath which
he had sworn to give true judgement, perceiving that
he was railed at and his words denied, did never
cease to confirm his sayings and to disprove the
varlet, till such time as the officers, by the command-
ment of the judges, seized his hands and took tin-
ring wherewith he had sealed the purse, and laid it
by the seal thereon : and this augmented the suspicion
•which was conceived of him first. Howbeit neither
the wheel nor the rack nor any other torment (accord-
ing to the use of the Grecians) which were done
unto him nor stripes, no nor yet the fire, could enforce
him to confess the matter, so obstinate and grounded
was he in his mischievous mind.

LUCIUS APULEIUS

11 Turn medicus: " Non patiar " inquit " Hercule,
non patiar vel contra fas de innocente isto iuvene
supplicium vos sumere, vel hunc ludificato nostro
iudicio poenam noxii facinoris evadere. Dabo enim
rei praesentis evidens argumentum : nam cum vene-
num peremptorium comparare pessimus iste gestiret,
nee meae sectae crederem convenire causas ulli
praebere mortis, nee exitio sed saluti hominum
medicinam quaesitam esse didicissem, verens ne si
daturum me negassem, intempestiva repulsa viam
sceleri subministrarem et ab alio quopiam exitiabilem
mercatus hie potionem vel postremum gladio vel
quovis telo nefas inchoatum perficeret, dedi venenum,
sed somniferum ; mandragoram ilium gravedinis
compertae famosum et morti simillimi soporis effica-
cem. Nee mirum desperatissimum istum latronem,
certum extremae poenae, quae more maiorum in eum
competit, cruciatus istos ut leviores facile tolerare.
Sed si vere puer meis temperatam manibus sumpsit
-potionem, vivit et quiescit et dormit et protinus
marcido sopore discusso remeabit ad diem lucidam :
quod si vere peremptus est, si morte praeventus est,
quaeratis licet causas mortis eius alias."

12 Ad istum modtim seniore adorante placuit, et
ituv confestim magna cum festinatione ad illud scpul-

1 Adlington's marginal note is worth transcribing : " The
office of a physician is to cure and not to kill, as I have heard

492

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

But the physician, perceiving that those torments
did nothing prevail, began to say : " I cannot suffer
or abide that this young man who is innocent should
against all law and conscience be punished and con-
demned to die, and the other which is culpable
should escape so easily, and after mock and flout at
your judgement : for I will give you an evident proof
and argument of this present crime. You shall
understand that when this caitiff' demanded of me a
present and strong poison, I considered that it was
not the part of my calling to give occasion of any
other's death, but rather to cure and save sick
persons by mean of medicines.1 And on the other
side I feared lest if I should deny his request I might
by my untimely refusing minister a further cause ot
his mischief by some other way, either that he would
buy poison of some other, or else retuni and work
his wicked intent with a sword or some dnngrroiis
weapon. Wherefore I gave him no poison, but a
soothing drink of mandragora, which is of such force
that it will cause any man to sleep as though he-
were dead. Neither is it any marvel if this most
desperate man, who is certainly assured to be put to
that death which is ordained by our ancient custom,
can suffer or abide these facile and easy torments.
But if it be so that the child hath received the drink
as I tempered it with mine own hands, he is yt-t alive
and doth but rest and sleep, and after his sleep he
shall return to life again; but if he hath been
murdered, if he be dead indeed, then may you
further enquire of the causes of his death."

The opinion of this ancient physician was found
good, and every man had a desire to go to the
tell many physicians of speculation have done, before they
have come to practice."

493

LUCIUS APULEIUS

chrum, quo corpus pueri depositum iacebat : nemo
de curia, de optimatibus nemo ac ne de ipso quidem
populo quisquam, qui non illuc curiose confluxerit.
Ecce pater, suis ipse manibus cooperculo capuli
remoto, commodum discusso mortifero sopore sur-
gentem postliminio mortis deprehendit filium, eum-
que complexus artissime, verbis impar praesenti
gaudio, producit ad populum atque, ut erat adhuc
feralibus amiculis instrictus atque obditus, deportatur
ad iudicium puer. lamque liquido servi nequissimi
atque mulieris nequioris patefactis sceleribus pro-
cedit in medium nuda veritas ; et novercae quidem
perpetuum indicitur exiliuin, servus vero patibulo
suffigitur et omnium consensu bono medico sinuntur
aurei, opportuni somni pretium. Et illius quidem
senis famosa atque fabulosa fortuna providentiae
divinae condignum excipit exitum, qui momento
modico, immo puncto exiguo, post orbitatis pericu-
lum, adolescentium duorum pater repente factus
est.

13 At ego tune temporis talibus fatorum fluctibus
volutabar : miles ille, qui me nullo vendente com-
paraverat et sine pretio suum fecerat, tribuni sui
praecepto debitum sustinens obsequium, litteras ad
magnum scriptas principem Romam versus perlaturus,
vicinis me quibusdam duobus servis fratribus undecim
denariis vendidit. His erat dives admodum dominus:
at illorum alter pistor dulciarius, qui panes et mellita
concinnabat edulia, alter cocus, qui sapidissimis intri-

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

sepulchre where the child was laid : there was none
of the justices, none of any reputation of the town,
nor any indeed of the common people, but went to
see this strange sight. Amongst them all the father
of the child removed with his own hands the cover
of the coffin, and found his son rising up after his
dead and soporiferous sleep : and when he beheld
him as one risen from the dead he embraced him in
his arms ; and he could speak never a word for his
present gladness, but presented him before the people
with great joy and consolation, and as he was wrapped
and bound in the clothes of his grave, so he brought
him before the judges. Hereupon the wickedness
of the servant and the treason of the stepdame were
plainly discovered, and the verity of the matter
nakedly revealed : whereby the woman was per-
petually exiled, the servant hanged on a gallows,
and by the consent of all the physician had the
crowns to be a reward for the timely sleep which he
had prepared for the child. Behold how the great
and wonderful fortune of the old man brought by
the providence of God to an happy end, who, think-
ing to be deprived of all his race and posterity, was
quickly, nay in the twinkling of an eye, made the
father of two children.

But as for me I was ruled and handled by fortune,
according to her pleasure : for the soldier which got
me without a seller and paid never a penny for me,
by the commandment of his captain was sent unto
Rome in course of his duty to carry letters to the
great Prince, and before he went he sold me I
eleven pence to two of his companions, brothers,
being servants to a man of worship and wealU
whereof one was a baker, that baked sweetbread and
delicates : the other a cook, which dressed with rich

495

LUCIUS APULEIUS

mentis succuum pulmenta condita vapore mollibat.
Unico illi contubernio communera vitam sustinebant
meque ad vasa ilia compluria gestanda praedes-
tinarant, quae domini regiones plusculas pererrantis
variis usibus erant necessaria. Adsciscor itaque inter
duos illos fratres tertrus contubernalis, baud ullo tem-
pore tarn benivolam fortunam expertus : nam ves-
pera, post opiparas cenas earumque splendidissimos
apparatus, multas numero partes in cellulam suam
mei solebant reportare domini : ille porcorum, pul-
Iprum, piscium et cuiuscemodi pulmentorum largissi-
mas reliquias, hie panes, crustula, lucunculos, hamos,
lacertulos et plura scitamenta mellita. Qui cum se
refecturi clausa cellula balneas petissent, oblatis ego
divinitus dapibus affatim saginabar : nee enim tam
stultus eram tamque vere asinus, ut duleissimis illis
14 relictis cibis ceiiarem asperrimum faenum. Et diu
quidem pulcherrime mihi furatrinae procedebat
artificium, quippe adhuc timide et satis parce sur-
ripienti de tam multis pauciora, nee illis fraudes
ullas in asino suspicantibus. At ubi fiducia latendi
pleniore capta partes opimas quasque devorabam et
iucundiora eligens abligurribam dulcia, suspicio non
exilis fratrum pupugit animos et quamquam de me
nihil etiam turn tale crederent, tameii cotidiani damni
studiose vestigabant renm. Illi vero postremo etiam
mutuo sese rapinae turpissimae criminabantur, iam-
que curam diligentiorem et acriorem custodelam et
dinumerationem adhibebant partium. Tandem deni-
que rupta verecuiidia sic alter alterum compellat :
" At istud iam neque aequum ac ne humanum qui-

496

THE GOLDEN ASS, BOOK X

sauces fine and excellent meats for his master. These
two lived in common, and would drive me from place
to place to carry such vessels as were necessary for
their master when he travelled through divers coun-
tries. In this sort I was received by these two as a
third brother and companion, and I thought I was
never better placed than with them : for when night
came and the lord's supper was done, which was
always exceedingly rich and splendid, my masters
would bring many good morsels into their chamber
for themselves : one would bring large rests of pigs,
chickens, fish, and other good meats ; the other fine
bread, pastries, tarts, custards, and other delicate
junkets dipped in honey. And when before meat
they had shut their chamber door and went to the
baths ; O Lord, how I would fill my guts with those
goodly dishes : neither was I so much a fool, or so
very an ass, as to leave the dainty meats and grind
my teeth upon hard hay. In this sort I continued a
great space in my artful thieving, for I played the
honest ass, taking but a little of one dish and a little
of another, whereby no man mistrusted me. In tin-
end I was more hardier and more sure that I should
not be discovered, and began to devour the whole
messes of the sweetest delicates, which caused the
baker and the cook to suspect not a little ; howbeit
they never mistrusted me, but searched about to
apprehend the daily thief. At length they began to
accuse one another of base theft, and to keep and
guard the dishes more diligently, and to number and
set them in order, one by another, because
would learn what was taken away: and at last one
of them was compelled to throw aside all doubting
and to say thus to his fellow : " Is it riffht or reason
to break promise and faith in this sort, by steahr,
21 «7

UTCIUS APULEIUS

dem, cotidie ac partes electiores surripere atque